In a blistering segment on MSNBC, Rachel Maddow dissected the rapid ascent of JD Vance, the junior senator from Ohio, revealing how his rise in the Republican Party owes more to billionaire Peter Thiel’s financial backing than Vance’s own merit. Maddow’s analysis aired on the evening of Vance’s acceptance speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he is set to play a significant role.
JD Vance: A Public Figure Shrouded in Patronage
Obscure Beginnings
Maddow began her critique by addressing JD Vance’s relative obscurity. Known primarily for his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, written during his time at Yale Law School, Vance was not a widely recognized public figure before his political career took off.
Thiel’s Influence and Financial Backing
The spotlight then shifted to Peter Thiel, the openly gay billionaire co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, and a significant supporter of right-wing causes. Thiel’s patronage, Maddow argued, was instrumental in Vance’s career. “Peter Thiel got JD Vance a job at a biotech company in San Francisco after JD Vance graduated from law school,” Maddow revealed, citing the CEO’s acknowledgment that Vance was hired as a favor to Thiel.
A Career Built on Connections
From Biotech to Venture Capital
Despite his lackluster performance in various venture capital roles, Vance continued to benefit from Thiel’s influence. Maddow highlighted a significant investment failure involving a Kentucky company that went bankrupt, casting further doubt on Vance’s business acumen.
The Role of Super PACs
Thiel’s support did not wane. Notably, he contributed $15 million to a super PAC that effectively managed Vance’s Senate campaign. “That super PAC then further effectively took over the operation of the campaign and ran most of it for Mr. Vance,” Maddow noted, emphasizing the extent of Thiel’s financial and strategic support.
Political Endorsements and Controversial Stances
Trump’s Endorsement Secured by Thiel
Thiel’s influence extended to securing Donald Trump’s endorsement for Vance, which was pivotal for his success in the Republican primary in Ohio. Maddow argued that Vance’s political success is more attributable to Thiel’s backing than to any personal merit or political skill.
Extreme Positions on Abortion
Maddow also scrutinized Vance’s hardline stance on abortion, referencing a 2022 podcast where Vance expressed his desire to outlaw abortion access nationwide. “I certainly would like abortion to be illegal nationally,” Vance stated, a position that starkly contrasts with Trump’s more cautious approach to avoid alienating voters.
Ideological Extremes and the Future of Democracy
Far-Right Ideologies
Vance’s belief in a “late Republican period,” inspired by far-right views advocating for a post-democratic era, was another focal point of Maddow’s critique. “You do not pick a man like that if you are worried about your electoral prospects,” she stated, underscoring the risky nature of Vance’s ideological stance.
Implications for Trump’s Confidence
Concluding her analysis, Maddow suggested that Trump’s choice of Vance as a significant figure in his campaign indicates a confident belief in his electoral prospects, despite Vance’s controversies. “You can only pick a candidate as out there as JD Vance if you’re really thoroughly quite sure that you’re going to win, no matter what kind of craziness you put on the ticket,” she concluded.
Conclusion
Rachel Maddow’s incisive critique of JD Vance’s career trajectory underscores the significant role that billionaire patronage, particularly from Peter Thiel, has played in shaping his political fortunes. As Vance continues to rise within the Republican Party, Maddow’s revelations offer a stark reminder of the powerful influences at play behind the scenes.
