Sometimes, a handshake or a fist bump is more than just a greeting—it’s a symbol. JD Vance, Ohio’s Republican Senator, found himself at the center of an awkward viral moment that perfectly encapsulates the growing divide between Republican rhetoric and the real concerns of America’s labor force.
While attending a United Auto Workers (UAW) picket line in Toledo, Vance attempted a friendly fist bump with a fellow attendee. The gesture, however, was left hanging as Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a long-serving Democratic Congresswoman with a 98% lifetime score from the AFL-CIO (one of the country’s largest unions), tried to offer a handshake instead. The moment, which quickly became an internet sensation, highlighted the dissonance between Vance’s attempts to connect with labor and his actual policy positions.
JD Vance: The Populist Who Misses the Mark
Vance’s rise to political prominence came on the back of his best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, which was hailed as a searing indictment of the social and economic decay in America’s heartland. His subsequent entry into politics was marked by a shift toward populism, echoing many of Donald Trump’s positions. Yet, when it comes to labor, Vance’s populism rings hollow.
“First time here?”
Vance: “First time here. Yeah.” 😕
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 2, 2024
Despite his claims of championing the working class, Vance’s policy positions often align more closely with the interests of big business than with those of workers. For instance, Vance has been a vocal critic of union power, arguing that labor unions have become too powerful and often act against the interests of workers. This stance places him at odds with the very people he claims to represent, especially in a state like Ohio, where unions have historically played a significant role in protecting workers’ rights. On Labor does an awesome breakdown HERE:
Despite visiting UAW’s picket line, Vance criticized UAW’s leadership in Shawn Fain. Vance commented that Fain should “just shut [his] mouth” instead of criticizing Trump, and should take the support he can get. Vance has similarly drawn distinctions between “good unions” like police unions, and “bad unions” like Starbucks Workers United. Vance has a pattern of claiming to support workers while criticizing their democratically elected leadership and political advocacy. “I think it’s dumb to hand over a lot of power to a union leadership that is aggressively anti-Republican,” Vance told Politico.
Rep Kaptur (D-OH), 41 yrs in the House, doesn’t seem thrilled to be part of Vance’s photo op https://t.co/FMRdArcJpa pic.twitter.com/eDi7fhd1p5
— Colin Camerer (@CFCamerer) September 2, 2024
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Trump’s Complicated Relationship with Labor
Donald Trump’s relationship with labor unions is similarly fraught with contradictions. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump positioned himself as a champion of the “forgotten men and women” of America, a significant portion of whom are union members. His promise to bring back manufacturing jobs and renegotiate trade deals that he claimed were unfair to American workers resonated with many in the labor movement.
However, once in office, Trump’s actions often belied his pro-labor rhetoric. His administration rolled back numerous labor protections, including rules that made it easier for workers to join unions and protections for federal workers. Trump also supported right-to-work laws, which weaken unions by allowing workers to benefit from union negotiations without paying union dues.
DC Report wrote:
Perhaps the most visible sign of Biden’s support for labor unions came when he walked a Michigan picket line with striking members of the United Auto Workers in September 2023. He was the first president to do so.
Trump turned up nearby the next day. He gave a speech at a nonunion auto parts plant.
More recently, Trump did himself no favors with labor voters and their allies when, in a highly publicized conversation with Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk, he praised Musk for firing employees who spoke out on workplace problems and attempted to unionize.
AFL-CIO said this around that time:
Donald Trump told us in 2016 he would stand with workers. He lied. The difference now is that he has a record he can’t hide from. And that record was catastrophic for workers. Former President Trump spent four years in office weakening unions and working people while pushing tax giveaways to the wealthiest among us. He stacked the courts with judges who want to roll back our rights on the job. He made us less safe at work. He gave big corporations free rein to lower wages and make it harder for workers to stand together in a union.
Trump’s rhetoric doesn’t match reality. Workers in Michigan and around the country know when we’re being sold a bill of goods. We can’t afford another four years of Trump’s corporate agenda to take away our hard-fought gains and destroy our unions.
The Economic Policy Institute said this:
Under the Trump administration, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has systematically rolled back workers’ rights to form unions and engage in collective bargaining with their employers, to the detriment of workers, their communities, and the economy. The Trump board1 has issued a series of significant decisions weakening worker protections under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA/Act). Further, the board has engaged in an unprecedented number of rulemakings aimed at overturning existing worker protections. Finally, the Trump NLRB general counsel (GC) has advanced policies that leave fewer workers protected by the NLRA and has advocated for changes in the law that roll back workers’ rights.
The Trump board and GC have elevated corporate interests above those of working men and women and have routinely betrayed the statute they are responsible for administering and enforcing. This paper highlights the most egregious actions of the Trump board and GC and evaluates the impact on working people. It is critical that Congress hold the Trump NLRB accountable and that policymakers prioritize legislative reforms that will restore the original promise of our nation’s labor law—to encourage and promote the formation of unions and the practice of collective bargaining.
Labor unions, historically aligned with the Democratic Party, were skeptical of Trump’s promises from the start. While some rank-and-file members supported Trump, especially in the industrial Midwest, the leadership of major unions like the AFL-CIO remained staunchly opposed to his policies. They saw his actions as favoring corporate interests over those of workers.
Why Labor Doesn’t Fully Support Trump (or Vance)
While Trump did manage to peel off some traditionally Democratic union voters, especially in states like Michigan and Ohio, the broader labor movement remains critical of his and Vance’s policy positions. The core of the labor movement’s discontent lies in the fact that both Trump and Vance advocate for policies that weaken the power of unions, undermine worker protections, and prioritize corporate profits over fair wages and working conditions.
For instance, Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 disproportionately benefited the wealthy and corporations, with little trickle-down effect for workers. At the same time, his administration’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) took steps to roll back protections for workers seeking to organize, making it harder for unions to represent their members effectively.
Similarly, Vance’s opposition to union power (The AFL-CIO has given Vance a 0% rating for his Senate votes as of mid-2024) and his support for right-to-work laws place him at odds with the labor movement’s goals of strengthening collective bargaining and ensuring that workers receive fair wages and benefits. His awkward interaction with Kaptur at the UAW picket line is emblematic of a deeper disconnect between his populist rhetoric and his actual policy positions.
The Real Champions of Labor
In contrast to Vance and Trump, Democratic politicians like Marcy Kaptur have consistently advocated for policies that support and strengthen the labor movement. Kaptur, who has represented Ohio’s 9th congressional district since 1983, has a long history of fighting for workers’ rights. She has been a vocal supporter of the UAW and other unions, advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize.
Kaptur’s commitment to labor is reflected in her voting record and her public statements. She has consistently opposed right-to-work laws and has supported legislation that strengthens collective bargaining rights and increases penalties for companies that violate labor laws. Her presence at the UAW picket line in Toledo was a testament to her unwavering support for the labor movement, in stark contrast to Vance’s awkward and seemingly out-of-place appearance.
A Moment That Speaks Volumes
The viral video of JD Vance’s botched fist bump at the UAW picket line is more than just a moment of internet cringe—it’s a reflection of the broader disconnect between Republican populists and the labor movement. While Vance and Trump may talk a good game about supporting the working class, their policy positions tell a different story—one that prioritizes corporate interests over the needs of workers.
As the 2024 election season heats up, it will be crucial for voters, especially those in the labor movement, to look beyond the rhetoric and examine the actual policies and track records of the candidates. The future of America’s working class may well depend on it.
Featured image via screengrab
