PALM BEACH, Florida – Although President-elect Donald Trump has kept details about his second term under wraps until after Election Day, it seems clear that Vice President-elect JD Vance will take on two primary roles.

Supporter and communicator.

“He’s quite the spirited guy, isn’t he?” Trump remarked about his 40-year-old running mate during his victory address early Wednesday.

Following his nomination as VP, Vance eagerly embraced the role of Trump’s fierce advocate, campaigning across the key states for the 2024 election. With a confrontational style on social media, he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “trash,” echoing President Joe Biden’s offhand remark about “garbage.” The newly elected senator from Ohio also participated in over 152 media interviews, outpacing other top candidates, and added flair to press conferences at his rallies.

Trump has frequently commended Vance for his confrontational exchanges with journalists, suggesting he wants to see more of this assertiveness in the future. Describing the media as “the opposition,” Trump highlighted Vance’s unique enthusiasm for these interactions, saying he “looks forward to it and utterly demolishes them.”

When called to speak by Trump, Vance indicated he’s prepared to be a strong advocate − a significant shift from the time when he labeled Trump as “noxious” and hinted he could be “America’s Hitler.”

“Following the greatest political comeback in American history, we are going to lead the most significant economic resurgence in our nation under Donald Trump’s leadership,” Vance declared.

What type of vice president will JD Vance be?

Having a good rapport with Trump can quickly turn sour. Just ask former Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence was one of Trump’s staunchest supporters during his initial term, yet Trump distanced himself from him after Pence declined to assist in overturning the 2020 election results. Trump showed little concern when rioters threatened Pence during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Trump has voiced frustrations regarding Vance’s early missteps, acknowledging that he “faced some criticism initially,” but aides noted that Trump has come to appreciate Vance’s contributions. They highlighted Vance’s debate with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic VP nominee, as a turning point.

“He has proven to be a good selection,” Trump remarked.

Throughout the campaign, Vance was somewhat ambiguous about what kind of vice president he anticipated being. He expressed to NBC News that he hopes to influence border policy and address issues related to substance abuse, something his mother battled until a decade ago. Prior to the election on Tuesday, Vance mentioned to the New York Times that both he and Trump were too superstitious to delve into discussions about his future White House role.

However, Vance expects to take a hands-on approach in his role as second-in-command.

“I know the president wishes for me to be involved in all matters, and I certainly hope to be,” he stated in an interview with YSL News in September. “The president leads the party. If he prevails, he will lead the nation, and my job is to assist him in achieving that success.”

The election results on Tuesday may also position Vance as the leading candidate for the Republican nomination in 2028, especially given that Trump is set to serve a second and last term. During the campaign, Trump occasionally spoke about who might follow him in leading his movement, and he referred to “JD” as a potential successor on at least one occasion.

Vance’s campaign has refrained from commenting on his anticipated role in the Trump administration.

Trump’s ‘amplifier and defender’

Joel Goldstein, a scholar on the vice presidency and a law professor emeritus at St. Louis University, speculates that Trump will primarily see Vance as an “amplifier and defender.” He notes that it remains uncertain how much real influence Vance will wield.

“Trump has made it clear in various ways that he doesn’t prioritize the traditional strengths the vice presidency can offer in democratic governance,” Goldstein explained. “Vance’s somewhat limited government experience—being less seasoned than even Spiro Agnew—will affect the contributions he can make to Trump.”

Vance was first elected to the U.S. Senate just two years ago.

Nevertheless, Christopher Devine, a political science professor at the University of Dayton, believes Vance might have a more significant impact as vice president compared to Pence, who had some visible responsibilities but ultimately did not influence Trump much. Devine asserts that Vance’s ability to navigate his way into important discussions could provide him with more swaying power.

JD Vance’s connection with Donald Trump Jr. has potentially put him in a better position to influence former President Donald Trump on various matters.

For instance, in Springfield, Ohio, Vance expressed worries about an increase in Haitian migrants and shared unverified claims online about immigrants supposedly harming pets. Trump then highlighted this issue during his debate with Vice President Harris.

“JD Vance figured out early on that to win Donald Trump’s approval, he needed to be a strong proponent and at least match Trump’s style of speaking,” noted Devine. “If not, he has gone even further.”