JD Vance's Speaking Fees Under Scrutiny

JD Vance, while promoting his memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy' in 2017, sought speaking fees as high as $40,000 and first-class flights for appearances at Midwestern public universities, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Initial negotiations began at $25,000 for a 45-minute talk, but after Vance's book won a selection for the university's Go Big Read program, the fee escalated to $40,000, leading the university to withdraw from discussions due to cost concerns. A spokesperson for Vance defended the fees, noting they were consistent with industry standards for best-selling authors. Despite attempts to negotiate down to $30,000, the university ultimately canceled plans for Vance's appearance in favor of a local expert panel. Vance's high-profile requests have sparked debate regarding compensation for speaking engagements, especially in light of other political figures' fees. Records indicate Vance earned at least $70,000 from similar engagements across 18 universities during that period.