A new political cartoon depicts JD Vance at the wheel of a small blue convertible performing a sharp U-turn on a winding road. The car bears the name JD Vance on the door and the word Hillbilly along the side. Two orange traffic cones lie toppled as the vehicle swings around, leaving skid marks and a cloud of exhaust.

The cartoon appeared on July 18, 2024, days after Donald Trump named Vance his vice presidential running mate. Vance, the Ohio senator and author of the memoir Hillbilly Elegy, had previously expressed reservations about Trump but aligned with the ticket. Observers noted changes in some of his earlier statements on trade, foreign policy and cultural issues.

The image uses the U-turn sign and scattered cones to illustrate the rapid adjustment. Vance is shown with a surprised expression as the car completes the maneuver. The cartoon captures the swift transition from Senate candidate to national figure within the Republican Party.

Broader coverage of the 2024 campaign noted Vance's emphasis on working-class concerns drawn from his book. The selection aimed to strengthen support in industrial states. The cartoon condenses that shift into a single visual metaphor of directional change on the highway.