Trump running mate Vance's memoir cashes in as new disclosure reveals millions and Bitcoin haul
WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance reported earning millions of dollars in 2025, with his bestselling memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy' emerging as the biggest driver of his income, according to a newly released financial disclosure.
The filing also shows Vance maintained significant Bitcoin holdings while collecting royalties from publishers across the US and overseas after his rise to the national spotlight as President Donald Trump's running mate.
The disclosure, released by the Office of Government Ethics, provides a detailed look at the vice president's finances during his first year in office, highlighting how renewed interest in his memoir translated into a major financial boost.
Memoir drives multimillion-dollar payday
Vance's financial disclosure shows that he earned between $1 million and $5 million in domestic royalties from publisher HarperCollins, a sharp increase from the $50,001 to $100,000 range he reported the previous year.
Overall, the filing estimates Vance earned as much as $7.4 million during 2025 through book royalties, investments and real estate holdings.
The dramatic increase coincided with Vance's emergence on the national stage after President Donald Trump selected him as his running mate, sparking renewed demand for 'Hillbilly Elegy', the memoir that first propelled him into public life nearly a decade ago.
Bitcoin holdings stay unchanged
While Vance's publishing income surged, his cryptocurrency portfolio remained largely unchanged.
The disclosure shows he continued to hold between $250,001 and $500,000 in Bitcoin, the same reported range as the previous year. His Coinbase account generated less than $201 in income during the reporting period.
The filing also lists investments in stocks and real estate, though none matched the financial impact of his publishing earnings.
Foreign publishing deals disclosed
Beyond domestic royalties, Vance reported income from international publishing agreements spanning Germany, Japan, Brazil and China.
His largest upfront overseas payment came from Chinese publisher Beijing Mediatime, which paid $59,500 for publishing rights.
The filing estimates that Vance's book agreements generated an additional $901,000 to $4.9 million compared with the previous reporting year.
The disclosure comes alongside President Trump's own financial filing, which reported substantially larger earnings from business ventures and investments.
As Republicans prepare for the 2026 midterm elections, the new ethics disclosures are expected to draw renewed attention to the personal finances of top administration officials while providing a clearer picture of the assets and income sources held by senior members of the Trump administration.
