J. D. Vance Isn’t a Fool. Why Does He Act Like One?
The article critiques Vice President J.D. Vance's public persona, suggesting he intentionally performs a 'dumb' version of himself despite his intellectual background. It draws parallels between his book titles and those of author bell hooks to argue he is more sophisticated than his current political rhetoric suggests.
Why it matters
It provides insight into the political branding strategies of high-level U.S. officials and the perception of authenticity in modern politics.
Every politician does some pandering, but few do it as clumsily, or with such evident disdain for their own supporters, as the vice president.
Andrew Harnik / Getty July 21, 2026, 6:01 PM ET Share Save This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.
When J. D. Vance announced the title of his new book, some bookworms noticed a curious convergence . The vice president’s first book is Hillbilly Elegy , a title that closely parallels Appalachian Elegy , a poetry collection by the radical Black feminist author bell hooks. Communion , his second volume, shares its name, though not its subject matter, with another hooks work (hers is on “the female search for love,” and his discusses his conversion to Catholicism).
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