So here's a treat for you. What you're about to hear isn't EU confidential. It's an episode of

power play, our sister podcast that dives deep into the intersection of politics, power, and big

personalities. Host Anne McAlvoy discusses J.D. Vance, who will soon be sworn in as the American

vice president. He's had a remarkable rise on political transition, from harsh Trump critic to faithful supporter.

But there's also a philosophical side to Vance, shaped by a network of advisors and supporters

on the other side of the Atlantic.

In this episode, we hear from some of them, including Rod Dreher, a key thinker

behind Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban's approach. We hope you enjoy this episode of PowerPlay.

EU Confidential will be back next week. I grew up in Middletown, Ohio.

A small town where people spoke their minds, built with their hands, and loved their God, their family, their community, and their country with their whole hearts.

But it was also a place that had been cast aside and forgotten by America's ruling clash in Washington.

From hillbilly elegy to vice presidential candidate, J.D. Vance has come a long way since his hardscrabble roots in Ohio

to become the second most prominent figure on the American right. He's gained notoriety for vociferous

remarks and upping the temperature of America's already heated political discourse. And he's been

criticised for joining the Trump bandwagon having roundly condemned him in the past. But there's

also another side of J.D. Vance, a network of advisors and supporters in

Europe who've helped shape and support him. He's taken a lot of criticism for his opposition to

Washington's and NATO's policy with Ukraine. Well, J.D. served in the Iraq war, and he knows

what a foolish war is.

Welcome to PowerPlay, Politico's weekly podcast where we talk to some of the most

influential people on either side of the Atlantic. I'm Anne McHelvoy and if you haven't

already, please do take a moment to follow

...