Vance Tries to Build His Own Brand After the Republican Midterm Loss

In the last stretch of the campaign, Vice President JD Vance changed what he talked about. He mentioned Donald Trump far less and leaned on his own causes: economic nationalism, restraint abroad and public safety. He also steered clear of the Iran war and deportations, since polls showed the president’s weak standing was hurting Republican candidates. Two people close to the effort say it was planned. Republicans still lost Congress on Tuesday.

Vance Blames the Iran War

The Wednesday Post

The day after the vote, Vance wrote that the war cost his party and called for it to end quickly. He also urged Republicans to focus on affordability and rethink the relationship with Israel. Sources say he was not breaking with Trump and that chief of staff Susie Wiles knew beforehand. Trump admitted the war raised gas prices but said he would change nothing, then swapped Wiles for Stephen Miller on Friday.

What It Means for 2028

Strategist Michael Ricci says Vance is using his office to set the debate, while Democrat Igor Volsky points to the difficulty of pleasing Trump voters and still winning a general election. Ted Cruz, Ron DeSantis and Marco Rubio are also watching, and Republicans lost in states Vance visited.