If you’re staring at your screen wondering what is the name of the vice president of america, you’re definitely not alone. It’s one of those things that feels like it should be common knowledge, but with how fast the news cycle moves these days, it’s easy to get a little turned around.
The short answer is J.D. Vance.
He’s the guy who took the oath on January 20, 2025, serving alongside President Donald Trump in his second term. Vance is actually the 50th person to hold the job. That’s a pretty big milestone when you think about it. Fifty people have stood on that platform and promised to keep the wheels of the executive branch turning.
Honestly, his rise to the VP spot was kinda wild. A few years ago, most people only knew him as the guy who wrote Hillbilly Elegy, that memoir that everyone was talking about back in 2016. Fast forward to now, and he’s basically the second most powerful person in the country.
What is the name of the vice president of america and how did he get there?
J.D. Vance isn't your typical career politician. That’s probably why he clicked so well with the MAGA base. He’s originally from Middletown, Ohio—a place that’s seen better days, which he wrote about in his book. Before he was "Mr. Vice President," he was a U.S. Senator from Ohio, but even that was a relatively short stint.
He served in the Marine Corps, went to Ohio State, and then hit the Ivy League at Yale Law. If you look at his resume, it’s this weird, interesting mix of "everyman" roots and high-level venture capital experience. When Trump picked him as a running mate in 2024, it was a massive signal that the Republican party was leaning hard into its new identity as the party of the working class in the Rust Belt.
They won the 2024 election against the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz ticket, which is how we ended up here.
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A Millennial in the White House
One thing that doesn't get mentioned enough is how young he is. Vance was born in 1984.
That makes him the first Millennial to hold the office. Think about that for a second. We’ve gone from presidents and VPs who remembered the Great Depression to a guy who probably remembers the launch of the original PlayStation. It’s a huge generational shift for the White House.
He’s 41 years old right now. The only other people to be that young in the job were John Breckinridge back in the 1850s and Richard Nixon in the 50s. It’s a tiny club.
What does the Vice President actually do?
People often joke that the VP just sits around waiting for something to happen to the President, but it’s more complicated than that. Especially in this administration. Vance has been a very active "right-hand man."
Under the Constitution, he has two main jobs:
- Succeed the President if they can't serve.
- Be the President of the Senate and cast tie-breaking votes.
And man, has he been busy with that second one. In 2025 alone, Vance had to head down to the Capitol to break several ties on major legislation, including the confirmation of Peter Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. When the Senate is split 50-50 or 51-49, the Vice President basically becomes the most important legislator in the building.
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Beyond the legal stuff, Vance has been acting as a sort of "enforcer" for the Trump administration's foreign policy. He made headlines recently for a pretty combative speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he basically told European leaders that there’s a "new sheriff in town." It wasn't exactly subtle.
The transition from Kamala Harris
Before Vance, the answer to what is the name of the vice president of america was, of course, Kamala Harris. She made history as the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian American in the role.
The handoff in January 2025 was... well, it was a lot. Harris is still very much in the public eye, though. She recently signed with a big talent agency (CAA) and put out a memoir called 107 Days about her 2024 campaign. There’s already tons of gossip about her running for president again in 2028.
But for now, the keys to Number One Observatory Circle belong to the Vances.
Why the name J.D. Vance stays in the headlines
Vance isn't the type to stay in the background. Whether it’s his stance on Ukraine (he’s been pretty skeptical of continued massive aid) or his focus on bringing manufacturing back to the Midwest, he’s always got something going on.
He’s also been serving as the finance chair for the Republican National Committee. That’s actually a first. No sitting VP had ever held that specific fundraising role before. It shows just how much trust the President has in him to keep the party’s "war chest" full.
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Basically, if you’re looking for someone who represents the future of the GOP, Vance is the guy. He’s managed to bridge the gap between the old-school corporate Republicans and the new-age populist movement. It’s a tough tightrope to walk, but he’s been doing it since the 2024 campaign trail.
Real-world impact of the VP office
So, why does any of this matter to you?
The Vice President often leads specific "task forces." In the past, we've seen VPs take on everything from space policy to border security. Vance has been heavily involved in the administration's "National Security Strategy," which was rolled out in late 2025. This strategy focuses heavily on tariffs and protecting American industries from foreign competition.
If you see your grocery prices or the cost of a new car changing because of trade deals, there’s a good chance Vance had a seat at the table when those decisions were made.
Actionable Steps for Staying Informed
If you want to keep up with what the Vice President is doing without getting bogged down in the 24/7 shouting match on social media, here’s how to do it:
- Check the White House Briefing Room: The official website (whitehouse.gov) posts transcripts of the VP’s speeches and his daily schedule. It’s the "boring" way to get news, but it’s the most accurate.
- Watch the Senate Calendar: Since Vance is the tie-breaker, keep an eye on when major bills are up for a vote. If it looks like a close one, he’ll be there.
- Follow Non-Partisan Trackers: Sites like Ballotpedia or the Senate’s official history pages are great for seeing his voting record and official actions without the political spin.
The name J.D. Vance is going to be a staple of American politics for at least the next few years. Whether you’re a fan or a critic, knowing who holds the office and what they’re actually doing is the first step in being an informed citizen.