JD Vance’s week gets worse as Trump elevates a hard-line ally
Vance faces a tougher path
Vance had appeared to be the leading Republican prospect for 2028, with a strong claim to Trump’s political legacy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously said he would defer to Vance if Vance ran.
The midterm losses may weaken that position. On Wednesday, Vance posted at length on X, blaming the Iran war for his party’s electoral problems. His close ties to Trump could also make it harder to distance himself from the president after the defeat.
MAGA’s future in question
The election has prompted a wider debate over whether MAGA can remain an effective political movement. Conservative writer and Vance ally Rod Dreher told Vox that he considers MAGA politically dead after the scale of the loss.
The article notes, however, that the Trump White House intends to continue pursuing the movement’s agenda. That direction could keep the movement’s policies central even as Republicans assess the election results.
Miller promotion signals continuity
Trump announced on Truth Social that Stephen Miller will become White House chief of staff on Monday, replacing Susie Wiles. Miller has helped drive several of Trump’s most unpopular policies, including on immigration.
The appointment suggests the administration will intensify its existing approach with a little over two years left in Trump’s term. Those policies were among the factors cited in the Republican midterm defeat.
Other Republicans may see openings
Vance also emerged from the midterms politically weakened after aligning himself with Vivek Ramaswamy, the unsuccessful Ohio gubernatorial candidate. Ramaswamy was linked to an attack ad described in the article as among recent political campaigns’ ugliest.
Rubio is reportedly considering leaving the administration, while outgoing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was identified by Dreher as a Republican politician not tainted by Trumpism. DeSantis was defeated by Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
Key points
- The Republican midterm defeat has cast doubt on Vance’s apparent 2028 frontrunner status.
- Vance blamed the Iran war for the party’s losses in a lengthy post on X.
- Trump plans to appoint Stephen Miller White House chief of staff on Monday.
- Rubio and DeSantis are among potential Republicans who could gain room to maneuver.