Vice-President JD Vance sent shockwaves through Washington on Wednesday by blaming his party's midterm defeat squarely on the Iran war. Many saw the move as an effort to distance himself from President Donald Trump ahead of a potential 2028 White House run.
In a 600-word statement on X, Vance acknowledged that Trump's 2024 voters had deserted Republicans in the midterm election. 'The reason we lost is the war,' he wrote. 'The president himself said so last night.'
In interviews late Tuesday and on Wednesday, Trump defended the war. He also acknowledged that it played a factor in Democrats flipping control of the US House of Representatives and the Senate.
A rare public split
Vance's views on the Iran war are an open secret in Washington. He has repeatedly backed the conflict since the US and Israel attacked Tehran in February. Reports say he has expressed opposition in private meetings with administration officials. Until now, those disagreements had stayed out of public view.
'If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that's at least honest,' Vance said.
Trump then agreed that the midterms were 'largely' decided by the war. He said he would 'do it again' if given the same choices. Asked about Vance's post, Trump said: 'I think it was fine.'
A possible 2028 roadmap
Vance also laid out a four-point plan to win back voters: '1) End the war 2) Focus on cost of living/inflation 3) Put America First 4) Change our relationship to Israel.'
Daniel Byman, a foreign policy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the statement seemed like 'a way of separating himself from Trump.' Ashley Davis, a Republican strategist, told the BBC that Vance 'put his toe in the water.'
Vance's post did not name Trump and attributed much of its election analysis to unnamed pollsters. According to The New York Times, Vance showed the message to Trump before posting it online.
Vance is widely expected to run but has not made an official decision, and aides say he is still considering it. Trump has praised Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on several occasions but has not said whether he will endorse either of them. The BBC has contacted Vance's office for comment.
