After midterm rout, Vance tries to build his own 2028 brand
In a blunt election postmortem, the vice president called for a swift end to the Iran war and urged Republicans to focus on affordability and overhaul the US relationship with Israel.
After Republicans suffered a midterm defeat, Vice President JD Vance is trying to forge his own brand for 2028. In recent weeks, Vance has distanced himself from President Donald Trump by focusing on his own policy priorities, rather than the president's signature issues like the Iran war and deportations. Polls had shown Trump's declining popularity was dragging down Republican candidates.
Vance's new strategy highlights economic nationalism, foreign policy restraint, and public safety as key issues he can address with authority. While Trump has endorsed Vance as a potential 2028 contender, the vice president has not made any formal announcement about a run. In a blunt social media post on Wednesday, Vance took responsibility for the midterm losses, blaming the Iran war and called for ending the conflict and focusing on affordability and reevaluating US relations with Israel.
This marks Vance's first public endorsement of ending the war, putting him on the side of ending the conflict. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles was informed of Vance's post in advance. Trump's latest leadership reshuffle, replacing Wiles with Stephen Miller, suggests the White House wants to maintain some hardline policies.
Vance's message has sparked debate among conservatives on what core tenets presidential candidates should embrace in 2028. Democrats are likely to tie any Republican nominee to Trump, especially if he plays a major role in vetting candidates.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
