When Donald Trump chose JD Vance as his running mate, he brought the first millennial onto a presidential ticket, a self-proclaimed Lord of the Rings superfan whose conservative views are shaped by Tolkien's fantasy world. Vance's admiration for Tolkien's epic tales mirrors his own political journey and worldview, from naming his venture capital firm after a powerful ring to drawing parallels between Middle-Earth's battles and real-world struggles. This deep connection to Tolkien's work reveals a unique blend of geek culture and political ambition, setting the stage for a fascinating and unexpected blend of pop culture and politics in the upcoming election.

By appointing JD Vance as his running mate, Donald Trump elevated the first millennial to be included on a presidential ticket. Vance, an internet native whose political ascent aligned with the emergence of a new conservative faction that would eventually become the New Right, is thus the first politician to have grown up du...