Hillbilly Elegyrecounts J.D. Vance’s powerful origin story….
From a former marine and Yale Law School graduate now serving as a U.S. Senator from Ohio and the Republican Vice Presidential candidate for the 2024 election, an incisive account of growing up in a poor Rust Belt town that offers a broad...
The hosts discussed the book while noting its recent film adaptation, which they described as a flop and a libertarian fantasy. They warned listeners to take the memoir’s claims with a grain of salt, questioning its accuracy and criticizing its portrayal of Appalachia as overly individualistic and offensive. Overall, the conversation highlighted skepticism about the book’s narrative and its political implications.
Critiqued
Episode: 461 - Floyd Allen
The podcasters discussed the movie based on this book, which they felt portrayed Appalachians unfairly and promoted the idea of individual responsibility over systemic issues.
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Hillbilly Elegy is the movie and it's based on J.D. Vance's book.
The thing about, the problem with the way that they portray these people is that it's not, they make it as if you can, that the problems are not systemic and economics and they make it as if you just work hard and pull yourself up from the bootstraps, you can get out of that fucking hellhole and it's just bullshit.
J.D. Vance is a VC, a rich guy who wrote a book that's just, if you try hard you can make your way out of there and that's not the reality for a lot of people.
It's very strange to me that people, particularly liberals, it's okay for them to shit on people from Appalachia and just do it relentlessly.
Hillbilly elegy is deeply offensive.
Episode: 650 - James Donald Vance - Part 1
Most of the information about Vance's life, including his childhood, family relationships, and experiences, came from his book, Hillbilly Elegy, so the podcasters advised listeners to take the information with a grain of salt.
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Most of this comes from JD's book, Hillbilly Elegy. So I would say take it with a grain of salt.
So Hillbilly Elegy, is that just a heightened version of his reality to some extent?
No, he says it's his story. But the stuff like she fed him garbage at dinner, I'm like, yeah, no, sure she did. So he probably took some liberties, shall we say.
JD quote... I had a better boy.
JD quote, it was the saddest I've ever felt.
Episode: 651 - James Donald Vance - Part 2
Ron Howard directed and Brian Glaser produced a film adaptation of this book, which was discussed in relation to the author's life and career trajectory. It was mentioned that the film adaptation was a flop.
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Ron Howard has come aboard as director and Brian Glaser is going to produce the film of the book Hillbilly by J.D. Vance.
Netflix released the film adaptation of Hill Billy elegy in November 2020 starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams and it was a flop.
The New Yorker called it a libertarian's fantasy
Episode: 651 - James Donald Vance - Part 2
Ron Howard directed and Brian Glaser produced a film adaptation of this book, which details J.D. Vance's experiences growing up in Appalachia. It was discussed in relation to Vance's political career and his views on social issues.
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Ron Howard has come aboard as director and Brian Glaser is going to produce the film of the book Hillbilly by J.D. Vance.
The book was repeatedly cited by Dave Rubin (and occasionally by Michael Knowles) to explain J.D. Vance’s political identity and his rise from an opioid‑stricken Appalachian upbringing to a vice‑presidential candidate. The hosts highlighted it as a bestseller that championed hardworking Americans and offered insight into the working‑class voters who shifted toward Trump. They described the memoir as an embodiment of the American dream and a cultural touchstone rather than a partisan work.
Episode: Crowd Roars at Trump’s Assassination Comment in Ep...
The book was mentioned in reference to J.D. Vance's background, as he grew up in a family dealing with the opioid crisis and rose from those struggles to become a lawyer and now the vice presidential nominee. The speaker emphasized Vance's journey as an embodiment of the American dream.
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He's really the American dream. This is a guy who grew up in opioid crisis, Appalachia, moved to Ohio, was and now is the vice president nominee. It's a crazy thing. It's beautiful.
President Trump represents America's last best hope to restore what, if lost, may never be found again. A country where a working class boy born far from the halls of power can stand on this stage as the next vice president of the United States of America.
Episode: No One Realizes What Trump Just Did That Changed t...
It was mentioned as a source for Vance's political identity, as he speaks to people from the Rust Belt and Appalachia.
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His political identity is from hillbilly elegy. He's speaking to people from the Rust Belt. He's from Ohio, spent a lot of time in Appalachia.
Episode: No One Realizes What Trump Just Did That Changed t...
J.D. Vance's book was mentioned as being a factor in his political identity, as he spoke to people from the Rust Belt and Appalachia. It was mentioned in the context of his candidacy as Vice President.
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What's important is one, his political identity is from hillbilly elegy. He's speaking to people from the Rust Belt. He's from Ohio, spent a lot of time in Appalachia.
Episode: JD Vance Reveals Unexpected Details of What Trump...
It was mentioned that Vance's book "Hillbilly Elegy" became a major bestseller and was made into a movie. The book was said to champion the hardworking men and women of the country.
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J.D.'s book, Hillbilly Elegy, became a major bestseller and movie as it championed the hardworking men and women of our country.
Episode: How the Working Class are Remaking the Republican...
It is a memoir about the author's family and their struggles, particularly his mother's opioid addiction. The book gained popularity around 2016, partly because it offered insights into the voters who supported Donald Trump.
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I was raised by my working class grandparents in Middletown, Ohio, which is in southwestern Ohio. It's a steel town.
the book doesn't mention Clinton. It doesn't mention Trump. It's not really a political book in the classic sense.
people were picking it up, trying to understand like who are all of these voters who even, you know, some, some, a lot of white work class voters actually supported Barack Obama in 2008 or 2012, but have this really hard shift, right? And supported Donald Trump.
So I think a lot of the reason that the book did very well is people were picking it up, trying to understand like who are all of these voters who even, you know, some, some, a lot of white work class voters actually supported Barack Obama in 2008 or 2012, but have this really hard shift, right? And supported Donald Trump.
The book was referenced across multiple episodes to illustrate J.D. Vance's personal background and to draw parallels between the challenges faced by hillbilly families and Haitian immigrants in Ohio. Hosts highlighted its depiction of a chaotic, violent family environment and used it to contextualize Vance's statements on culture, language barriers, and family values. The discussion was primarily analytical rather than promotional.
Episode: Morning Joe 7/30/24
Trump defended Vance's past comments about childless cat ladies by saying he loved family and grew up in an interesting family situation.
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He's not against anything, but he he loves family. It's very important to him. He grew up in a very interesting family situation and he feels family is good. And I don't think there's anything wrong in saying that.
It's true that we become anti family. It is true that the left has become anti child. It is simply true that it's become way too hard to raise a family.
I think that he was on a podcast where he was asked about AOC's statement that she said in the past that, you know, I don't know about having kids with climate change in the world and turbulence. And that was his response to it.
Episode: Morning Joe 8/8/24
J.D. Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, wrote this book, which was mentioned while discussing his tendency to make cringe-worthy statements during the campaign.
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It must be hard, must be hard for somebody who wrote Hillbilly Elegy to find himself at this point in his life.
Episode: Morning Joe 7/26/22
It was mentioned in the context of J.D. Vance's description of his grandparents' chaotic and violent marriage, which he later stated improved over time, providing stability for him.
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In his best-selling book Hillbilly Elegy, Vance describes his grandparents' marriage as chaotic and violent, even telling one story where his grandmother lit his grandfather on fire who had to be saved by their 11 year old daughter.
Episode: Morning Joe 9/18/24
The book was mentioned in the context of J.D. Vance's background and how his understanding of the struggles faced by the hillbillies who moved to Ohio to work in factories might have helped him understand the plight of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. It was noted that the hillbillies faced similar challenges regarding culture and language barriers.
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J.D. Vance being a serial liar is a relatively new development. So maybe we should talk about that some.
What's really interesting to me about this is that, you know, J.D. Vance with his very famous book called Hillbilly Elegy and the hillbillies who moved to Ohio to work in the factories were actually a lot like these Haitians.
Episode: Morning Joe 9/18/24
The book, Hillbilly Elegy, was mentioned in the context of J.D. Vance's background and his understanding of the struggles faced by communities similar to the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. It was noted that the experiences described in the book shared similarities with the challenges faced by the Haitian community.
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J.D. Vance being a serial liar is a relatively new development. So maybe we should talk about that some.
The book was highlighted as a massive bestseller that chronicled the author's upbringing in a white working‑class community and helped launch him into the Trump political sphere, serving as a reference point for explaining the former president's support. Host Jonathan Karl discussed its cultural impact and Vance's evolving political stance without endorsing the title.
Episode: Meet the Trump-Vance Ticket
J.D. Vance wrote "Hillbilly Elegy" about growing up dirt poor and the deep challenges he faced in his own white working class community. It was a bestselling book. It was a massive bestseller. The book helped him become a real figure in the Trump movement.
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He's a Marine. I mean, he's got an impressive life story even at just age 39.
And he felt like this kind of conduit to this part of the country. And yet he did not consider himself like a Trump supporter. At one point he said, I can't stomach Trump.
I think he's noxious and is leading the white working class to a very dark place. I mean, what changed?
It was a massive bestseller. And when Trump ends up winning, a lot of folks turn to J.D. Vance to try to explain the phenomenon, explain the support.
As a matter of fact, ABC News on election night in 2016, after Trump was declared the winner, we actually called Vance, who happened to be at that point living in Manhattan, and you know, roused him out of bed. And he came into the studio at about like two o'clock in the morning as we were, you know, broadcasting.
He said, yeah. He said, yeah. But once he got to know me, he was all in. And this is something important about Trump.
He, you know, can be quite thin skinned to criticism, obviously, and hit back very hard. But he loves a convert. And the harder you were against him, the more excited he is when you, you know, come on and are totally on board. And that's J.D. Vance.
Vance was a fierce Trump critic, calling the then candidate cultural heroine. And even in one text message to a former roommate, he called Trump America's Hitler.
I mean, he was harshly critical, but he is as all in as anybody, certainly anybody on his potential VP list or anybody in Congress. He is all in for Donald Trump. We've almost seen him kind of transform in real time as his political ambitions grew.
And he's taken on these much tougher right wing stances, whether it's on abortion or other social issues.
Bill O'Reilly repeatedly referenced the book across several episodes, highlighting its huge bestseller status, movie adaptation, and role in establishing JD Vance as an authentic working‑class voice that initially appealed to the left. He noted Oprah’s promotion of the memoir and how the book’s perception shifted as Vance embraced Republican politics, using it mainly as background context rather than a direct endorsement.
Episode: The O'Reilly Update, July 17, 2024
Vance is a traditional conservative, Marine Corvette, Yale Law School graduate, Catholic convert, author, journalist, and business guy. He will be lionized by Republicans and attacked by liberal Democrats. He's not boring and may make the Trump-Vance ticket the liveliest in US history.
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Senator J.D. Vance is an interesting guy, traditional conservative, Marine Corvette, Yale Law School, Catholic convert, author, journalist, business guy.
As Donald Trump's VP selection, Vance will immediately be lionized by Republicans and attacked by liberal Democrats.
Now I don't know Vance, never met him, but he's not boring.
In fact, the Trump-Vance ticket may be the liveliest in the history of the United States.
Episode: Deception in America, Donald Trump Picks JD Vance,...
Hillbilly Elegy was mentioned in passing as J.D. Vance's most notable accomplishment and it was pointed out that he is a bestselling author.
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Huge bestseller, Hillbilly Elegy.
Episode: Highlights from O'Reilly's No Spin News - July 19,...
The book, a huge bestseller, was mentioned in relation to the speaker's assessment of J.D. Vance's background and achievements, highlighting his military service, legal education, and authorship.
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He's got quite the resume. I'll tell you, Marine Corps is over in Iraq. Ohio State, you yell law school, huge bestseller. "Hillbilly Elegy", married three children, young children converted to Catholicism. He's been busy. J.D. Vance.
What is the rationale? I truly want to understand. Let me explain it. So J.D. Vance, I use the soundbite on the "No Spin News", which is my daily broadcast, BillOReilly.com, you can get it all. So I use a soundbite of J.D. Vance, Senator Vance, saying, hey, Putin, he's not Hitler.
Episode: No Spin News - Weekend Edition - August 10
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance's book 'Hillbilly Elegy' provided insight into his background and initial viewpoints, which were initially welcomed by the left before he became a more prominent figure within the Republican party.
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But now we have we're three weeks in. I don't see him as being a plus right now, Vance. Maybe he will emerge as one.
I know him. I don't know him personally, Vance. Never met him. But I know he'll billy elegy and I know what he campaigned on.
Well, I saw when he did it for taking a hit because I've known him and I met him and I like him. I thought there would be about three to four weeks because when he came out of the hillbilly elegy, he was an ideal abulation.
Episode: Highlights from O'Reilly's No Spin News - August 9...
It was mentioned in the context of J.D. Vance's background and how he was initially welcomed by the left as an authentic voice before becoming a Trump supporter. His selection as Trump's running mate was discussed.
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I know he'll billy elegy and I know what he campaigned on.
when he came out of the hillbilly elegy, he was an ideal ablation.
Episode: Kamala Harris Selects Tim Walz for VP, Victor Davi...
It was discussed that J.D. Vance's book was initially well-received by the left, as they saw it as an authentic voice of the working class, and that he had campaigned on certain issues that were later seen as problematic.
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But I know he'll Billie Elegy and I know what he campaigned on.
I thought there would be about three to four weeks because when he came out of the Hill Billie Elegy, he was an ebullient ablation.
Episode: Kamala Harris Selects Tim Walz for VP, Victor Davi...
It was mentioned as a work where J.D. Vance's voice was seen as authentic to working-class white Americans. His views on Trump and MAGA were considered problematic in the past but have evolved over time.
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But I know he'll Billie Elegy and I know what he campaigned on.
I thought there would be about three to four weeks because when he came out of the Hill Billie Elegy, he was an ebullient ablation.
And by the way, the people who really welcome were the left because they said this is an authentic voice of the working class white Americans.
Episode: Highlights from O'Reilly's No Spin News - August 3...
The book was mentioned in relation to J.D. Vance's past and how his views were initially well-received by the left due to the book's perceived authenticity but later became problematic.
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I was agnostic about it because you give the candidates a little room to select people they feel comfortable with. But now we have we're three weeks in. I don't see him as being a plus right now.
I thought there would be a bad three to four weeks because when he came out of the hillbilly elegy, he was in ebulliation. And by the way, the people who really welcome were the left because they said this is an authentic voice of the working class white Americans. And he's telling us how pathological they are.
Episode: Highlights from O'Reilly's No Spin News - August 2...
It was mentioned as a book written by J.D. Vance about his tough upbringing, which became a huge bestseller and was made into a movie by Ron Howard.
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Mr. Vance tough upbringing wrote a book about it hillbilly elegy huge bestseller made into a movie by Ron Howard big movie and that's how he got famous
Episode: NO SPIN INTERVIEW: JD Vance
It was mentioned that Oprah Winfrey helped promote his book, "Hillbilly Elegy", leading to a notable level of success for the author.
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She helped your tremendous success, literary success.
I think you've probably sold more books than anybody I've ever talked to.
Episode: A MUST SEE No Spin Interview with JD Vance, Walz A...
It was mentioned as JD Vance's book about his tough upbringing, which became a huge bestseller and was later adapted into a movie by Ron Howard, contributing to his rise to fame.
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So Mr. Vance, Tough Upbringing wrote a book about it, Hillbilly Elegy, huge bestseller, made into a movie by Ron Howard, big movie and that's how he got famous
Episode: The O'Reilly Update, July 16, 2024
J.D. Vance's book, 'Hillbilly Elegy', was discussed in relation to his background and how the left's view of him changed when he became a Republican.
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This is all in his book, Hillbilly Elegy, which the left loved until he came out as a Republican.
'Hillbilly Elegy' was nominated for Best Movie We Did Not See, suggesting it was a movie that was released but perhaps not as widely seen.
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In the category of best movie. We did not see The nominees are Mary queen of scotts hillbilly elegy guardians of the galaxy volume 2 guardians of the galaxy volume 3 And babylon
— Episode: 2023 Las Culturistas Culture Awards Nomi...
Episode: 2023 Las Culturistas Culture Awards Nominations Sp...
'Hillbilly Elegy' was nominated for Best Movie We Did Not See, suggesting it was a movie that was released but perhaps not as widely seen.
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In the category of best movie. We did not see The nominees are Mary queen of scotts hillbilly elegy guardians of the galaxy volume 2 guardians of the galaxy volume 3 And babylon
This book was mentioned as a popular work from a couple of years prior that discussed the people of the Appalachian region and suggested part of their poverty stemmed from a fatalistic attitude.
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When you think about the Appalachian region, there was a very popular book that came out a couple of years ago called Hillbilly Elegy, which talks about the people of the region.
— Episode: Coal Wars | Charles Keeney on Restoring...
Episode: Coal Wars | Charles Keeney on Restoring His Great...
This book was mentioned as a popular work from a couple of years prior that discussed the people of the Appalachian region and suggested part of their poverty stemmed from a fatalistic attitude.
"
When you think about the Appalachian region, there was a very popular book that came out a couple of years ago called Hillbilly Elegy, which talks about the people of the region.
The hosts brought up the title while noting a bizarre claim that the author admitted to having sexual encounters with couches, and they also mentioned its film adaptation. They treated the reference as a quirky anecdote rather than a literary endorsement, and no recommendation to read the book was offered.
Episode: Ep 211: Billionaires Are People Too
It was mentioned that JD Vance, author of "Hillbilly Elegy", admitted in his book to having sexual encounters with couches. The book was also adapted into a movie.
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I think it might be a backwards. Like, what is the name of his book and movie? Hillbilly Elegy. It's a Hillbilly Elegy sort of thing.
There's some shit about JD Vance where in his book or whatever, he admitted to fucking couches or something.
What does elegy mean? Wow, fuck if I know this guy is smart. Apparently he knows some big words. Is that why it's a good title?
Episode: Ep 211: Billionaires Are People Too
JD Vance admitted to having sexual encounters with couches in his book or movie, which was discussed as a relatable and 'Hillbilly Elegy' sort of thing.
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I think it might be a backwards. Like, what is the name of his book and movie? Hillbilly Elegy. It's a Hillbilly Elegy sort of thing. I love you guys. Dude.
There's some shit about JD Vance where in his book or whatever, he admitted to fucking couches or something.
The book was mentioned in context of J.D. Vance being named Trump's running mate and his first republican convention as a national introduction to the role. It was mentioned that Vance gained recognition with the train derailment in Ohio, though he was already a published author.
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He's an Ohio Senator. Now, he really came to light, I guess, with the train derailment in Ohio and East Palestine. That's when he really started to come to light. Nobody really heard of him before tha...
— Episode: 744. Andy & DJ CTI: Trump's Assassinatio...
Episode: 744. Andy & DJ CTI: Trump's Assassination Attempt,...
The book was mentioned in context of J.D. Vance being named Trump's running mate and his first republican convention as a national introduction to the role. It was mentioned that Vance gained recognition with the train derailment in Ohio, though he was already a published author.
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He's an Ohio Senator. Now, he really came to light, I guess, with the train derailment in Ohio and East Palestine. That's when he really started to come to light. Nobody really heard of him before that, whatever.
The book was brought up by Kara Swisher to point out J.D. Vance's perceived daddy issues and its availability at a local bookstore, and later Ron Klain referenced it when noting Vance's strong anti‑Trump stance at the time of its publication and his subsequent shift toward Trump‑aligned views. Both hosts used the title as a lens to discuss Vance's political evolution rather than to evaluate the book itself. The discussion was observational and neutral.
Episode: The Debate, the Dropout and the Dems' Future with...
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance had very strong anti-Trump views in his book 'Hillbilly Elegy' and around the time of its publication, but he clearly moved over time to align more with Donald Trump's views.
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I thought that in Hillbilly Elegy, and his statements around the time, he was very strong in his anti-Trump views. Very.
But he clearly moved over time. And he can explain that to voters. I'm not going to try to explain it to voters. He can try to explain it. But obviously, I agree more with the 2016 version of J.D. Vance than I do the 2024 version of J.D. Vance.
Episode: CNN's Dana Bash On Debate Drama, the Harris Interv...
The book was mentioned in relation to J.D. Vance's perceived daddy issues and how this might influence his political approach. The book's availability at the Politics & Prose bookstore was also noted.
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J.D. Vance clearly has a daddy problem from his book, if you read it, and you can buy it here, by the way, I'm sure.
The speaker enjoyed the book but was later disappointed by the author's actions, which seemed to betray the ideas presented in the book.
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I enjoyed his book, and then he has betrayed so many of the ideas in that book. I think he's a disappointing dude to say the least.
— Episode: How To Do Good For People | Congressman...
Episode: How To Do Good For People | Congressman Tim Ryan
The speaker enjoyed the book but was later disappointed by the author's actions, which seemed to betray the ideas presented in the book.
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I enjoyed his book, and then he has betrayed so many of the ideas in that book. I think he's a disappointing dude to say the least.
Episode: How To Do Good For People | Congressman Tim Ryan
The book was mentioned positively, contrasting the author's later actions which were seen as betraying the ideas expressed within it. The speaker expressed disappointment with the author.
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I enjoyed his book, and then he has betrayed so many of the ideas in that book. I think he's a disappointing dude to say the least.
Episode: How To Do Good For People | Congressman Tim Ryan
The speaker enjoyed the book but was disappointed that the author later seemed to betray many of the ideas expressed within it.
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I enjoyed his book, and then he has betrayed so many of the ideas in that book. I think he's a disappointing dude to say the least.
Episode: How To Do Good For People | Congressman Tim Ryan
The speaker mentioned enjoying the book, but expressed disappointment that the author, J.D. Vance, seemed to have betrayed many of its ideas.
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I enjoyed his book, and then he has betrayed so many of the ideas in that book. I think he's a disappointing dude to say the least.
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance, the Republican candidate, wrote a best-selling book that was critical of Trump before changing his views and embracing him in the political arena.
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Well, he was a reasonable person who wrote a best-selling book called Hillbilly Elegy.
Episode: Trump Obstruction & Trump Enablers (with Mark Leib...
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance, the Republican candidate, wrote a best-selling book that was critical of Trump before changing his views and embracing him in the political arena.
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Well, he was a reasonable person who wrote a best-selling book called Hillbilly Elegy.
In the episode, the host noted that the author highlighted his drug‑addicted mother and upbringing by a single grandmother, emphasizing his Midwestern roots over his later career as a California venture capitalist. The discussion framed the memoir as a striking illustration of his personal background.
Episode: Vance and Walz’s New Debate Tactic: Civility
The book was mentioned in relation to J.D. Vance pushing his Midwestern background over his time as a California venture capitalist, discussing his drug-addicted mother and being raised by a single grandmother.
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Remember he wrote the book, Hillbilly, L.A.J. about his drug-addicted mother and being raised by the single grandmother was really kind of striking how much he was pushing The Midwestern background over his time as a California venture capitalist.
The book was repeatedly brought up as a focal point in the hosts’ critique of JD Vance, highlighting his alleged misrepresentation of Appalachian life and his shifting support for Donald Trump. The hosts described the memoir as a bestseller that nonetheless "trashed" the community it purported to depict, and they used it to question Vance’s credibility and motives. Overall, the discussion was sharply critical, framing the title as a tool for political opportunism rather than a genuine account.
Critiqued
Episode: Trump Makes WORST VP Choice and REJECTS UNITY
In his book, "Hillbilly Elegy", J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's vice president pick, called the working class people of this country lazy, said they were on welfare, and that they were just not as good as everybody else.
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If you read his book that he got famous on, there are so many passages throughout that book that he wrote that kind of rose him to prominence. Hillbilly Elegy, I believe it's called, where he just calls the working class people of this country lazy. He says that they're on welfare. He says they're just not as good as everybody else.
He makes a lot of comments that shows his pure disdain for working class people.
Episode: Trump Has WORST INTERVIEW OF HIS LIFE at NABJ Even...
The book, which became a bestseller, was about Vance's upbringing in a poor, white family in Appalachia and was made into a movie that was a smash hit.
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He wrote the book that became a bestseller. The movie became a smash hit. He's a very smart guy without the benefit of having a family that has contacts like a father that was well connected. He got into Yale Law School.
Episode: Trump LOSES IT as Lincoln Project Founder Reed Gal...
J.D. Vance was criticized for telling his son to "shut the hell up" during a phone call with Donald Trump. He said that the call was very important and he was scared that Trump would be disappointed.
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So I'm like oh no. So I call Trump and I'm like hey sir what's going on? He's like J.D. you missed a very important phone call and now I'm gonna have to pick somebody else.
And I'm you know I like tense up and almost have a heart attack. And the crazy thing about it is my son who's seven is in the hotel room with me and he's really into Pokemon cards right now. He's going through a Pokemon phase.
Are you guys into Pokemon? I am. Back in the day. That's a big phase right now I think in general. Yeah yeah so I mean he's really into it. So he's trying to talk to me about Pikachu and I'm on the phone with Donald Trump and
I'm like son shut the hell up for 30 seconds about Pikachu. It's the most important phone call of my life. Please just let me take this phone call.
So I call Trump and I'm like hey sir what's going on? He's like J.D. you missed a very important phone call and now I'm gonna have to pick somebody else.
Episode: Trump LOSES ALL CONTROL as Kamala STRIKES BACK FAS...
J.D. Vance, the author of "Hillbilly Elegy", was mentioned during a discussion about Donald Trump's campaign. The speaker referred to Vance as a "never Trump guy" who had become a supporter of Trump.
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J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy.
J.D. Vance also thinks stepmoms aren't really moms. Women should be staying in marriages even if they're violent marriages.
It's hillbilly felony.
Episode: Trump CRASHES DOWN as Kamala CRUSHES HIM
J.D. Vance was described as a phony, a fraud, and a weirdo who hates women. His past was unearthed, including multiple name changes, his claims of being gay growing up, and his misogynistic comments about childless women. He was also accused of faking his Appalachian background for his career and his book.
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He becomes a different person.
That's also how he says that he was gay growing up and then he then became an extremist against the LGBTQ plus community.
He called childless cat ladies a big threat to democracy and other horrific misogynistic remarks.
Shady Vance did not have sexual relations with that couch.
His name is not JD Vance.
His name was James Donald Bowman.
He changed his names multiple times from James Donald Bowman to Jimmy Hamill.
Then right when he got married, he changed his name to JD Vance.
He's flipped his entire personality.
He made his whole initial career and sold books lying that he's from Appalachia.
He's quite literally a venture capitalist for- From Silicon Valley.
He's a character.
He is playing a portrayal of a type of human that he believes appeals to Appalachia.
He is a Silicon Valley tech bro who made his money working for Peter Thiel, who went back to Ohio and created a sham charity that exploited people who were suffering from the opioid epidemic.
He funded research from Purdue Pharma by hiring their researchers and gave no money to people who were actually suffering from the opioid epidemic.
It's such an abhorrent thing to say and it's something that I think resonates with so many women.
He's not a real person.
Episode: OMG! Trump Gets STOMPED ON by Kamala’s AD BLITZ
It was mentioned in the context of its author, J.D. Vance, who was criticized for his past negative views on Donald Trump and subsequent change of heart and praise of the former president.
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He was a nobody. Shady Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy. He came from nothing.
Shady is kissing my ass. He wants my support.
Episode: Trump Campaign QUICKLY COLLAPSES as Kamala RISES
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance wrote this book and trashed Appalachia, which he is not even from, using stereotypes to mock those who live there, before transitioning to a Trump supporter.
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And he wrote a book, Hillbilly Elegy, where he trashes Appalachia, where he's not even from.
Episode: Trump Gets INSTANT KARMA as Kamala RIPS HIM TO SHR...
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance wrote a best-selling book criticizing the community he came from, which was part of Governor Walz's criticism of him.
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Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland, JD studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community.
Episode: Trump Has MENTAL COLLAPSE over KAMALA’S BIG MOVE
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance, the author of Hillbilly Elegy, studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a bestseller criticizing that community. It was also mentioned within the context of a political discussion about Donald Trump and his campaign.
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Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland, J.D. studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community.
He was a nobody JD Vance author of hillbilly elegy.
He came from nothing.
It was meant to be at least a little bit. Okay, freedom to rig elections, give votes to all children in this country. But let's give control over those votes to the parents of those children, the freedom to be racist. Now she wants to be known as black. So I don't know is she Indian or is she black and the freedom to control women.
The people who are most deranged and most psychotic are people who don't have kids.
Episode: Fox LOSES ALL CONTROL Over Kamala VP SELECTION
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance, the author of 'Hillbilly Elegy', had written a book trashing the community he came from and was challenged to a debate by Tim Walz.
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Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland, J.D. studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community.
And I got to tell you, I can't wait to debate the guy. That is if he's willing to get off the couch and show up.
or as I call him, Shady Vance,
Shady Vance, get off the couch and debate me.
He's the real deal. He is what JD Vance wishes that he were.
Episode: Trump CAMPAIGN COLLAPSES as Kamala TAKES THE LEAD
It was mentioned in relation to a short film called 'Hillbilly Felony', which was a parody of the book and Trump's relationship with its author, J.D. Vance.
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It's called Hillbilly Felony, I guess the sequel to Hillbilly Elegy and it's the story of how Donald Trump and Shady Vance met.
Episode: Trump Surrogates SHREDDED TO PIECES on LIVE TV
It was mentioned as a memoir about a family and culture in crisis, and its themes were discussed in relation to Donald Trump's appeal to certain voters.
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Joining us now, former Marine Yale Law School graduate and author J.D. Vance. He's out with a new book, Hillbilly Elegy, a memoir of a family and culture in crisis.
And a lot of the themes of the book relate to why we've seen voters respond to Donald Trump. Something we've talked a lot about here on the show.
Episode: Trump Surrogates SHREDDED TO PIECES on LIVE TV
It was mentioned in relation to J.D. Vance's commentary on the white working class and their response to Donald Trump, exploring themes of community, purpose, and crisis within those communities.
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Joining us now, former Marine, Yale Law School graduate and author J.D. Vance. He's out with a new book, Hillbilly Elegy, a memoir of a family and culture in crisis.
And a lot of the themes of the book relate to why we've seen voters respond to Donald Trump, something we've talked a lot about here on the show.
For many, he is the only thing left that offers camaraderie, community, and a sense of purpose.
And I think that what's happened is where in these communities where everything has kind of fallen apart, folks aren't going to church, their kids are addicted to drugs, they don't have a whole lot left.
And Donald Trump is one of the few things that they do have. And I think it's unsurprising that he's not just popular, but in some ways, very, you know, a source of excitement and pride for folks in this community.
Episode: Trump has TOTAL MELTDOWN over KAMALA DONATIONS
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's VP candidate, is the author of this book, although it was said he isn't actually a hillbilly and was from the suburbs of Ohio.
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If you go and read the hillbilly elegy that he wrote though, he's not even like a hillbilly, like he's from the suburbs of Ohio.
Episode: Trump Gets BLINDSIDED by Strongest ATTACK ADs Yet
The book was mentioned in relation to J.D. Vance, highlighting his past as the author before his political career trajectory.
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J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy.
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J.D. Vance, the author of this book, was mentioned in the context of his political evolution regarding Donald Trump, noting his prior opposition and later support.
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JD Vance, author of Hill Billy Elegy.
Episode: Fox News has Tables Turned as Dems Hijack Network…...
The host referenced the book while critiquing the idea of governmental immunity, noting that Vance's work highlighted hillbilly values and skepticism toward absolute government power.
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He had a book, Hillbilly Elegy. And I can tell you, hillbilly values, at least from where I'm from in Appalachia, are that the government ought not be able to have absolute immunity when they shoot you in the face.
The episode noted that the book was steeped in anger, particularly toward the author's mother, and used it to illustrate his personal grievances and worldview within the political discussion. Michelle Goldberg mentioned reading it later and highlighted the tone of resentment, while the hosts pointed out how the author's harsh view of his upbringing shaped his political stance.
Critiqued
Episode: Trump campaign putting ‘literally all their money’...
It was mentioned that J.D. Vance's book was filled with anger, particularly towards his mother for not fulfilling her maternal role compared to his father.
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And so you have people at Yale Law school, you have women who think that truly the liberationist path is to spend 90 hours a week working in a cubicle at McKinsey instead of starting a family and having children.
To me what it is is sort of a value system to replace the fact that they're all fundamentally extraagnostic, they have no real value system, their only value system is achieve in a very conventional way.
And so the idea that somehow they're pursuing racial or gender equity is like the value system that gives their life meaning, clearly this value set has made me a miserable person who can't have kids because I already you know past the biological period when it was possible.
I didn't read Hillbilly Elegy when it came out, and so I didn't read it through the filter of the discourse at the time, I read it when he reemerged as a presidential or vice presidential prospect.
And that is a book that just seeds with anger, right, and Jeannie Vance is someone who was very ill treated by both of his parents, both of them let him down financially, but the amount of anger that he has at his mother for sort of not fulfilling her maternal role compared to the amount of anger that he has it is is this at his father and put him up for adoption, it's just it's a completely different scale.
The book was referenced during a discussion of cultural and economic backlash in the United States, serving as an example of the issues being examined. The hosts mentioned it in passing without offering a detailed endorsement or critique, simply noting its relevance to the topic. The overall tone was neutral, treating the title as a contextual reference rather than a recommendation.
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They referenced the book while discussing cultural and economic backlash in the United States.
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like J.D. Vance and Hillbilly Elegy
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.
