Holiday Special: Exploring JD Vance’s Unexpected European Connections
To start the new year, POLITICO is sharing a standout episode from its sister podcast, Power Play. The regular EU Confidential podcast will return next week, but in the meantime, delve into this fascinating exploration of JD Vance’s rise and his surprising European support network.
Ohio Senator JD Vance, known for his best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy and staunch backing of Donald Trump, has roots and influences that stretch beyond U.S. borders. Among these influences are surprising connections to key European political figures, including Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s Prime Minister, and other right-wing European leaders.
This episode goes beyond the surface, examining how religion, conservative values, and a skepticism of global institutions foster transatlantic alliances with figures like Vance. It also explores his growing prominence as a voice in Republican politics and his potential role in shaping the conservative landscape ahead of the 2024 U.S. elections.
As Europe’s political balance shifts and as U.S.-EU ties evolve, Vance’s connections provide a lens into the intersection of domestic and foreign policy for modern conservative movements. What do these alliances mean for the international political landscape? And what do they signal about the future of global conservatism?
Tune into this deep dive to get a broader understanding of how Vance’s European ties could shape both his political future and broader ideological trends across the Atlantic.
For more updates and insights, stay tuned to POLITICO’s EU Confidential.













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