Vance blames Iran war for midterm losses; Trump partly agrees
The vice-president's public break with Trump on the war raises questions about his possible 2028 White House run.
Key points
- Vice-President JD Vance blamed the Iran war for Republicans' midterm defeat in a statement on X
- Trump said the war was a factor in the midterms and that he would do it again
- Vance set out a four-point plan that previews a possible presidential campaign
- Vance has not made an official decision on running in 2028
Vice-President JD Vance has blamed his party’s midterm defeat on the Iran war, according to BBC reporting published on Wednesday. Many in Washington saw the statement as an effort to put some distance between Vance and President Donald Trump before a possible 2028 White House run.
In a lengthy post on X, Vance said Republicans lost because of the conflict. He quoted Trump as having said as much the night before. The post did not name Trump, and Vance credited much of his election analysis to unnamed pollsters.
Read also: Iran’s negotiator says Americans rejected war in midterms
Trump partly agrees
Trump defended the conflict in interviews on Tuesday night and on Wednesday. He also admitted the war had been one factor in the results, which handed Democrats both chambers of Congress. When asked about Vance’s post, Trump said he thought it was fine. He argued that the United States had stopped Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Trump went further than many expected. He said the war had mostly shaped the midterm result and that he would take the same decision again if he faced the same choices. Trump usually expects firm backing from senior advisers, so his reply drew attention in Washington.
Vance has supported the war since the US and Israel struck Tehran in February. BBC reporting says he has reportedly raised doubts in private meetings with administration officials. Those disagreements had stayed out of public view until this week.
A possible preview of 2028
Vance also laid out a four-point plan for the party to win back voters. The points were: end the war, focus on cost of living and inflation, put America first, and change the relationship with Israel. The list echoes much of his public message since he entered national politics.
Daniel Byman, who studies foreign policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the statement appeared to separate Vance from Trump. Ashley Davis, a Republican strategist, told the BBC that Vance had tested the waters to gauge the reaction. Byman added that staking out positions against Trump would be a tricky balancing act for Vance if he goes for the presidency.
What remains unclear
The 2028 vote is roughly two years off. Vance is widely expected to seek the nomination, but no formal choice has been announced, and aides say he is still weighing it. BBC reporting also notes that it is disputed how sharply Vance broke with Trump. According to The New York Times, Vance shared the message with Trump ahead of publication.
Trump has spoken warmly of Vance and of Secretary of State Marco Rubio on a number of occasions. However, he has not said whether or when he will back a successor. He has also floated the idea of a third term, which the US Constitution rules out. Whether the post proves significant remains uncertain.
Related: Trump blames Fox News for GOP midterm losses
Frequently asked questions
Why did JD Vance blame the Iran war for the midterm defeat?
Vance said in a post on X that the war was the reason Republicans lost. He said Trump had made a similar point himself the night before. BBC reporting described the statement as an effort to separate Vance from Trump.
Did Trump agree with Vance?
Trump said the war had mostly shaped the midterm results and that he would do it again. He also said he thought Vanceu0026#039;s post was fine. Trump had earlier acknowledged the war played a factor in the results.
Has JD Vance decided to run for president in 2028?
No formal choice has been announced. Vance is widely expected to seek the nomination, and his aides say he is still weighing it.
Sources
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