J.D. Vance on his memoir, 'Hillbilly Elegy' (2016 interview) | Fresh Air

With the news of J.D. Vance's nomination for Vice President, interest in a 2016 conversation between Vance and Terry Gross has resurfaced. In it, Vance talks about his book, "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir Of A Family And Culture In Crisis,” growing up in a Rust Belt town in Ohio, and the social isolation, poverty and addiction that afflict poor white communities.
This interview originally aired August 17, 2016.
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[@nyccheckin]

JD VANCE = HANDMAID'S TALE

[@arbentashko7005]

J.D. Vance looks to me as an honest, independent and creative person that has an allergy to any kind of dogma. He has the ability to analyze ideas until he reaches a conclusion that is meaningful in his reference frame of his mind. That proves why he is so fluent and logical, when he formulates and connects his fundamental ideas, to reach a right conclusion. He is a realist that knows well, that what he reached, is not only because of his self transformation but because, also, he was helped from other people, who see a great value in his character and "Philosophy of Life" and high standard oh his work product and work ethic. He was good to use better opportunities and also respect his principles. I see in him a humble, modest person, self-confident, who expresses his deep gratitude for support given to him. I stress this, because I know, there are many people that have had a difficult life, were helped like him, but believe that they have the right to receive that help and ask for more, without expressing their gratitude.

[@richardmyers6075]

This interview takes me back to my mindset during 2016. I was a strong backer of the Democratic party prior to this. Then as the Trump phenomenon happened it caused some cognitive dissonance within me. When i listened to Obama or Clinton speak i felt there was nothing authentic about them; Hillary especially. Then, when i heard Trump speak he sounded crass, yes, but more authentic than any other candidate. I was in limbo that year. I couldn't stomach the Democrats but i wasn't ready to Board the Trump train either. Since then, I've left the Democrats entirely because i believe they all but abandoned the working poor.

[@1MyNickname1]

Not like Trump supports the working poor either, I mean, what did he do for them during his term from 2016 to 2020? All he did was tax cuts for the rich. What benefits had the poor from Trump?

[@shelleycandelario2162]

I very much appreciate reading the book before the film was out. And I appreciate Trump choosing him. But I am for Kennedy 2024. It's a service that this interview was republished. It gives insight to the man. Thank you, Terry.

[@gabrieljohnson4213]

Trump speaks off the cuff because he can't read and is functionally illiterate.

[@RPoshekGladbach]

Terry, how said you would repeat an interview with this fascist. It was offensive in 2016 and even more offensive in 2023. How much did he pay you?

[@billplaney2585]

What’s wrong with her interview being available? It’s a rich repository of comments against Donald Trump that will be highly valuable in the campaign against him. Also, now, in contrast to the current comments out of this man’s mouth, it shows what a hypocrite he is.

[@melissaklaassen9200]

It's a book about his experience which is his own. It's a memoir. What in it specifically is so offensive? This book was my daughter's freshman college "book of the year" that all students read and JD came to her university to speak. A liberal college I might add.

[@RPoshekGladbach]

@@melissaklaassen9200 The problem is there are false statements contained in Vance's so-called memoir. I should mention, memoirs, as a literary form, are are especially known for false representations. The falsity of Vance's memoirs is not surprising.

[@fernandopalacios5266]

​@@RPoshekGladbachgrow a pear man