Vance will make his mark as the first millennial vice president and the potential MAGA torchbearer

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It is already considered the likely successor to the "Make America Great Again" movement.

His incoming administration is expected to achieve his agenda. He is also set to serve as a liaison to Capitol Hill, utilizing connections he made during his two years in the Senate.

"I would say JD won't let any problem go unaddressed or be a hindrance to the administration and be as helpful to President Trump as possible," said Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, a friend and ally.

Moreno stated that Vance will also continue his campaign role as Trump's chief spokesperson, defending him on TV and engaging in debates with journalists.

His top priority is to be out there supporting President Trump," said Moreno. When Trump needs someone to defend him or his policies, he added, "JD's going to lead the charge to back up President Trump.

It has been an incredible eight years for the 40-year-old author of "Hillbilly Elegy," who has made a dramatic transformation from a former venture capitalist and outspoken Trump critic. He will play a pivotal role not only in Trump's potential return to the presidency, but also in shaping the future of his political movement. Since Trump will be barred from running again by the Constitution in 2028, Vance emerges as a natural successor to consider.

To maintain favorable relations, he first needs to remain in Trump's favor.

Vance had a bumpy beginning

Trump's decision to choose Vance as his second-in-command initially met with a lack of enthusiasm.

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He became a prominent supporter of Trump, frequently speaking with news reporters and giving interviews to various publications. On one notable occasion, he was a guest on three separate Sunday news programs all within the same day.

The Republican's willingness to venture into often contentious territory earned Trump's praise.

“Is he a feisty guy or what?" Trump said during his victory speech on election night, recalling how he had told Vance "to go toe-to-toe with the opposition." While some Republicans might have been hesitant to appear on CNN or speak with The New York Times, Trump said, Vance "really looks forward to it, and then he just goes in and tears them apart.”

He stated, "Turned out to be a good choice. I took some criticism at the start, but I knew he was - I thought the brain was one of the best out there, as good as you could get."

A cautionary tale

Ice didn't go so well for Trump's previous running mate.

Mike Pence, who had been consistently devoted to his boss, ended his term by secretly leaving after a violent mob stormed the area on January 6, 2021, following his refusal to back Trump's plan to annul the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he had lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump wouldn't pardon Pence, squarely blaming him for their loss, and turned off huge segments of his supporters against Pence. Pence would give up on his own bid for the 2024 nomination months before the first votes were held because he had trouble raising funds or drawing large crowds.

Vice President Pence and President Donald Trump started on the same track with high expectations and had a very good working relationship," said Devin O'Malley, who used to be Pence's press secretary and senior advisor on his campaign. O'Malley noted that he doesn't think things will end the same way for Vance, who "seems to be doing everything right to be successful in this role.

Trump and Pence were previously known as being close, but despite this, they had very different personalities. Trump chose Pence, a person he barely knew, in part to quell the concerns of evangelical Christians who were uneasy about Trump's behavior, and to gain the support of other Republicans who were skeptical of his unconventional candidacy.

Longtime associates have described Trump and Vance as genuine friends who genuinely enjoy spending time together. The two have a daily habit of speaking on the phone, in person, or via text message.

Unlike Pence, Vance is also aligned in his views with Trump on major issues such as trade and the use of US forces abroad. He has a close relationship with Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and has built strong connections with other key figures, including incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles, senior advisor Stephen Miller and others.

He also has connections to the young tech billionaires who have become influential in Trump's orbit, such as Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, who once worked with Vance and played a role in his rise to prominence in politics.

Although 2028 is still several years away, Vance for now is viewed by many as the natural heir to the MAGA movement, as other Republicans with nationwide ambitions continue to position themselves.

A senior adviser to President Trump, Jason Miller, referred to him as "the future of the Republican Party and this movement that President Trump has initiated."

"He truly believes that the person to lead the way forward should be that individual, following Donald Trump," he stated at a meeting of business leaders not long ago.

A new generation comes into power.

When he is sworn in on Monday, Vance will make history as the first millennial to hold the position and the first vice president in almost two decades to be raising young children.

She pointed out that Vance's relatively young age in national politics gave him a few benefits, including being at ease with social media and a different communication method.

I believe his youthfulness gives him the confidence to take on new challenges, although this is true virtually no other politician, including President Trump, can maintain their boldness as age and experience often tone down their approach.

People close to Vance describe him as a regular person - "about as normal a guy as there's ever been in politics," Moreno said - with a working-class background.

He wears sweatshirts, cheers on sports teams, and fits right in as a classic guy's guy. He's a true friend to bros, says Terry Schilling, president of American Principles Project, who's been advising Vance on cultural and family matters since he announced his Senate bid. 'He'll grab a beer with you, watch a football game together, jokingly tease you and poke fun at you, and then get serious when work demands it.'

Indeed, after Vance's beloved Ohio State secured a spot in the national football championship game, he expressed his frustration on social media. The Buckeyes will play Notre Dame for the title in Atlanta on Monday night, hours after Vance and Trump are scheduled to be sworn into office.

Enjoying (and sharing) a humorous comic strip where two red buttons are highlighted: “Attend your own inauguration” and “Go watch the Buckeyes win a national title”, with a sweating superhero struggling between them.

It was the type of comment easy for any sports fanatic to appreciate and simply added to his regular, down-to-earth image.

But Vance will remain in Washington, though he'll be checking his phone at the Liberty Ball.