There have to be 100 better criticisms of Vance than this. I’m on the east side of Cincinnati and I often drive an hour to go hike trails in an area called the Edge of Appalachia. Real Appalachia is just a little farther.
He only said his family was from Appalachia, I have no idea when or not that’s true. But there are tons of self-described redneck/hillbilly types all around the outskirts of Cincinnati. I’m going to a Hardy show tomorrow (technically today) and although he crosses over into rock, his two opening acts are country and that show is going to be packed with people like I’m describing.
Vance absolutely grew up with money, I don’t know if he has misrepresented that. But lots of people around Cincinnati come from families that think of themselves as Appalachian. The dude is scary though, just talk about his politics and you’ll convince people.