JD Vance, an Unlikely Friendship and Why It Ended

The New York Times ^ | July 27, 2024, 5:01 a.m. ET | Stephanie Saul

[E. Pluribus Unum]

When his book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” was published in 2016, JD Vance sent an email apologizing to a close friend from his Yale Law School days. The friend identified as transgender, but Mr. Vance referred to them in the book as a lesbian.

“Hey Sofes, here’s an excerpt from my book,” Mr. Vance wrote to his friend, Sofia Nelson. “I send this to you not just to brag, but because I’m sure if you read it you’ll notice reference to ‘an extremely progressive lesbian.’”

“I recognize now that this may not accurately reflect how you think of yourself, and for that I am really sorry,” he wrote. “I hope you’re not offended, but if you are, I’m sorry! Love you, JD.”

Nelson wrote back the same day, calling Mr. Vance “buddy” and thanking him for “being sweet,” adding, “If you had written gender queer radical pragmatist, nobody would know what you mean.” Nelson asked for an autographed copy, then signed off with, “Love, Sofia.”

That exchange is from a series of emails between two friends, part of a close-knit group of 16 students who remained together throughout their first law school semester in the fall of 2010. As now-Senator Vance seeks the vice presidency, Nelson has shared about 90 of their emails and text messages, primarily from 2014 through 2017, with The New York Times.

The emails, in which Mr. Vance criticizes former President Donald J. Trump both for “racism” and as a “morally reprehensible human being,” add to an already-existing body of evidence showing Mr. Vance’s ideological pivot from Never Trumper to Mr. Trump’s running mate.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

DISCLAIMER: This article from the corporate gaslight press is presented for the benefit of those who want to know what the enemy is up to. If you are offended by articles from the corporate gaslight press and don't want to know what the enemy is up to, please exit this page immediately. "Ignorance is strength. --'1984,' by George Orwell"

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The emails, in which Mr. Vance criticizes former President Donald J. Trump both for “racism” and as a “morally reprehensible human being,” add to an already-existing body of evidence showing Mr. Vance’s ideological pivot from Never Trumper to Mr. Trump’s running mate.

There were lots of Never-Trumpers who changed their minds. As Dan Bongino says, don't pay attention to what politicians say. Pay attention to what they do.

[MinorityRepublican]

Thanks for the disclaimer.

[Responsibility2nd]

Another hit piece from the New York Times. Unfortunately many FReepers eat this up and continue to complain about Trump and how he made a bad decision.

[piasa]

I notice the times didn’t produce these until AFTER his selection.

[cuban leaf]

They would call me a former never trumper, but I’m not. I just didn’t like him because I saw him as a chameleon. But once he became president he sold me completely and utterly. I now consider him to be the best president in the last 100 years.

vI have a feeling vance may have gone through the same experience.

[Bobbyvotes]

Only thing bad about Vance is he does not bring any additional voting block to the ticket. He is fine otherwise.

[Responsibility2nd]

True. But you can bet they had this dirt ready to roll on ALL the candidates.

[Kleon]

Based on the women I’ve talked to, he is more popular with female voters than Trump, and he will help with the suburban woman vote.

[Dr. Sivana]

Only thing bad about Vance is he does not bring any additional voting block to the ticket. He is fine otherwise.

If MAGA doesn't win on its own, we are doomed. MAGA must outlast Trump. You bring in an Establishment guy, and they take over in nothing flat, because they still have a lot of people in the apparatus waiting for their opportunity. Vance was the most qualified elected figure who will continue MAGA post-Trump.

[SauronOfMordor]

The purpose of bringing him on is not to get additional votes.

The purpose is to ensure the VP aligns with Trump’s populist vision, in case Trump doesn’t make it thru his term.

[Round Earther]

I hate the police,” Mr. Vance said in his response.

None of this can be true. It is all fabricated by the NYT.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

[theoilpainter]

I did not vote for Trump in any Rep primary. He is not my first pick - or second - or third. But I voted for him in every general election, and even gave him money in 2020. I will vote for him again in 2024.

He’s not perfect, and I’m not into cults. I’m a conservative who wants to win.

I was a liberal dem in college and law school in the 60’s. My first Rep vote for POTUS was George Bush. People grow and change. I did.

Good for Vance. This piece shows real human compassion, and eventual maturity.

[clearcarbon]

"There were lots of Never-Trumpers who changed their minds."

Donald Trump used to be a democrat. So did Ronald Regan. They matured with time. Many others have done the same.

[napscoordinator]

Why would they? It’s up to the campaign to know the background of the candidates they chose. Clearly they either did know all this or they are finding out now.

[webheart]

George Bush brought a bloc to the Reagan ticket but he wasn’t worth a damn afterwards. He also led to the next Bush. And don’t forget Pence brought a voting bloc to the Trump ticket and he was even a pretty good vice president but he was quite a turncoat afterwards. I don’t know what bloc Marco Rubio would have brought but I don’t think he would be great for the next term. Only Rand Paul would be a good choice in my mind for someone who might bring a bloc with him. Besides I don’t think a bloc of voters is going to swing a presidential election from losing to winning. Bush was not the reason Reagan won and Pence was not the reason Trump won. In both of those cases the vice president made no appreciable difference. Same with Bush/Cheney.

[imabadboy99]

I’m not sold on Vance. Apologizing for offending a freak? Not a good look JD.

[Petrosius]

You bring in an Establishment guy, and they take over in nothing flat, because they still have a lot of people in the apparatus waiting for their opportunity.

This is what happened with Reagan/Bush.

[Lurker]

“I’m not sold on Vance.”

So vote for Kamala then.

L

[SamuraiScot]

The emails, in which Mr. Vance criticizes former President Donald J. Trump both for “racism” and as a “morally reprehensible human being,” add to an already-existing body of evidence showing Mr. Vance’s ideological pivot from Never Trumper to Mr. Trump’s running mate.

It would take an atomic scale designed for computing the weight of things too small to sehydrogen molecules to put a number on how little the general public gives a flying darn about what President Trump's running mate said about him 30 years ago.