In Bed With The Right Episode 26: J.D. Vance with Gabe Winant
Jul 16, 2024
Gabe Winant, a historian focused on gender and class dynamics, joins the conversation to discuss J.D. Vance's political trajectory and his controversial memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy.' They unravel the cultural implications of Vance's narrative, critiquing its stereotypes and its simplistic portrayal of the white working class. Winant examines Vance's rise in the populist far right, the impact of social media on his campaigns, and the evolving political narratives surrounding race and class. Gender dynamics in labor movements also take center stage, revealing deeper societal tensions.
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Vance's Upbringing and Education
- J.D. Vance's memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, portrays his traumatic upbringing in Middletown, Ohio, marked by his mother's addiction and a series of relationships.
- Raised by his grandparents, a steelworker and a nurse, Vance navigated his challenging environment to join the Marines, attend Ohio State, and eventually graduate from Yale Law School.
Vance's Cultural Diagnosis
- Vance's analysis of his community's struggles lacks economic or structural considerations.
- He offers a cultural diagnosis, attributing problems to inherent traits, even citing Scots-Irish descent as a factor.
Vance's Silicon Valley Career
- Vance downplays his Silicon Valley venture capitalist experience while emphasizing his deindustrialization background.
- Backed by Peter Thiel, he established Narya Capital, reflecting the Thiel empire's Lord of the Rings motifs.