Vance makes plea to war-weary Republicans in keynote address

JD Vance urged war-weary Republicans not to abandon the party at the upcoming midterm elections, despite policy disagreements. The US vice-president delivered the keynote address at the closing night of the Republicans' midterm conventions, seen as an early pitch for Donald Trump's potential successor. Vance's speech came after revelations about his private reservations about the war in Iran, shared with Trump by The New York Times.

While not explicitly mentioning the Iran war, Vance spoke about Charlie Kirk's opposition to all war, urging Republicans not to "throw the baby out with the bathwater." Vance, widely seen as the party's likely 2028 presidential nominee, also reflected on fatherhood, family, and shared scripture. A protester waving a Mexican flag was briefly escorted out of the venue, amid security concerns.

Vance's rival for the presidential nomination, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, did not attend the event. The convention featured speakers passionately portraying Democrats as anti-American ideologues, with Senator Ted Cruz taking the argument further by denouncing shariah law and Islamists. Trump gave the final speech, rehashing previous material and briefly mentioning his pledge of $5,000 per adult if Republicans retained control of Congress.

The event marked the party's first national convention in a midterm year, as they aimed to secure their positions in the upcoming November elections.