WASHINGTON D.C. — The Atlantic republished an essay by JD Vance on Saturday that was originally published 10 years prior during Donald Trump's first presidential campaign. The publication included an editor's note stating the essay was republished on its 10th anniversary and the US semiquincentennial to allow readers to assess how Vance's evaluation of Trump has withstood time.

In the essay, Vance referred to Trump as "cultural heroin." Vance wrote, "To every complex problem, he promises a simple solution. He never offers details for how these plans will work, because he can't." Vance also stated, "Trump's promises are the needle in America's collective vein. He makes some feel better for a bit. But he cannot fix what ails them, and one day they'll realize it." Vance had previously described himself as a "never Trump guy" and called Donald Trump "America's Hitler." He also said Trump was "unfit" for office and was "leading the white working class to a very dark place."

Vance worked for Peter Thiel's venture capital firm, Mithril Capital Management, when the original essay was published. His book, "Hillbilly Elegy," had also been published before the essay. Vance later changed his stance on Donald Trump, citing the results of Trump's policies before his first presidency concluded. Vance ran for the US Senate in Ohio in 2022 and won with Trump's endorsement. He subsequently became Trump's running mate for the 2024 presidential campaign, which Trump won.

David Frum, a senior editor at the publication who knew Vance early in his political career, commented regarding Vance's shift. "I think he walked across it," Frum said. "It was Donald Trump, and he walked across it."

On March 16, Trump delivered remarks during an executive order signing event in the Oval Office, with Vance present. On May 25, Trump and Vance saluted during a Memorial Day event at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. On Saturday, Trump marked the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence from the UK with a speech, where he declared the nation was experiencing a "golden age."