What J.D. Vance’s Transformation Tells Us About the Future of Democracy

Hosted by Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Populism, offered as a solution to economic and cultural woes, has gained ground in Europe following a slew of recent elections. Across the pond, the Ohio senator and potential Trump running mate J.D. Vance is championing an American version of populist politics that is also gaining traction. On this week’s episode, the hosts discuss Vance’s embrace of the ideology and consider why many voters find it so appealing.

Plus, Ross Douthat shares a literary deep cut that not even Carlos Lozada has heard of.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Credit…Photo Illustration by The New York Times. Photo: Brian Kaiser for The New York Times

Recommended in this episode:

• “What J.D. Vance Believes” by Ross Douthat in The Times

• “Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans,” “Fire and Blood: A History of Mexico” and “Comanches: The History of a People” by T.R. Fehrenbach

• “What Will Become of American Civilization?” by George Packer in The Atlantic

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected].

Follow our hosts on X: Michelle Cottle (@mcottle), Ross Douthat (@DouthatNYT) and Carlos Lozada (@CarlosNYT).

“Matter of Opinion” is produced by Sophia Alvarez Boyd, Derek Arthur, Andrea Betanzos and Phoebe Lett. It is edited by Jordana Hochman. Mixing by Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Original music by Pat McCusker, Carole Sabouraud and Sonia Herrero. Our fact-checking team is Kate Sinclair, Mary Marge Locker and Michelle Harris. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski. Our executive producer is Annie-Rose Strasser.

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, X and Threads.