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.

[tired&retired]

Read about Palentir, Peter Thiel’s company that the CIA funded and works with Thiel to spy on all internet activity.

Thiel owns Vance.

I like Trump, but feel he was just snookered by the deep state, especially the CIA into selecting Vance. I’m concerned that Trump will be JFK’d.

[imabadboy99]

I’m voting for Trump - NOT for JD

[JusPasenThru]

The Good Book saith, “Clutcheth not thy pearls.”

[Languager]

Yes, I know someone who would never have voted for Trump but how is now considering it because of JDV.

[Luke21]

So who does Mark Kelly bring in? Gun grabbers from Arizona? Fans of Star Trek? No. The same media that crucifies Republicans and toasts Democrats.

[kiryandil]

The Good Book saith, “Clutcheth not thy pearls.”

Indeed.

Someone who's been on FR long enough to know what to do, and what not to do.

[drSteve78]

Apologizing for offending a freak?

No, he was Apologizing if offending a friend. People, especially conservatives, can be friends even with people they disagree with.

Liberal Karens, not so much, although i have several in my circle that tolerate their differences from me. But then, i may be the only testosterone source in the circle and they……kinda can’t resist their biology.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Trump is great but the best in 100 years?

I'll give you the best since Reagan.

[Bobbyvotes]

Most urgent priority for Trump is to WIN in 2024. The VP will not make much difference through 2028, whoever it is. In my opinion a woman VP pick who was on the moderate side would have brought in most additional voters. It won’t matter hill of beans if he loses in 2024, no matter who the VP was on ticket. I will put my preference aside for a strong VP pick, and go along with improved chances for a win in 2024.

[Bobbyvotes]

Only beef I have with Reagan is he tripled federal spending during his 8 years in Office. Speaker Tip O’Neill played Reagan like a fiddle, with no vetoes from the president.

[cuban leaf]

Who was better? I’ve run down the list and see none except, maybe, Nixon.

[gnickgnack2]

Wow, I thought I was naive and slow, a few years younger than you. How did you not vote for Reagan?

[theoilpainter]

Fair question. Nationally, I was in the habit of voting for dems. I went to college and law school in the 60’s. All my friends and colleagues were liberals. As CA became more wacko liberal under Jerry Brown, I began to change on the state level. I friend, who later served in Congress and other high Federal and judicial positions (you’ve heard of him) talked me into changing parties in 1992. And that was that. I’ve become both a Rep and a Christian.

You?