Vice President J.D. Vance, according to Axios’ report on Tuesday, has secured his place within the MAGA Movement as the likely candidate for the 2028 Presidential election.
Many questioned Trump’s decision to pick Vance as his running mate in 2024, when he chose the 40-year-old senator from an already Republican-controlled state. Three months in and after dozens of confrontational discussions, GOP insiders believe Vance is the right person to continue Trump’s conservatism.
Jim Banks (R-Ind.) told the outlet that Vance would be the [GOP] candidate in 2028. He’s the future for the “America First” movement and has already proved himself.
Vance is a rare combination of Ivy League training, rust belt roots and Silicon Valley business savvy that appeals to a broad range of GOP voters. His polite yet firm speeches such as those he gave at the Munich Security Conference, last month, show his ability to explain the “America First’ agenda to European intellectuals.
Vance is a MAGA favorite for his ability adapt Trump’s style to negotiating, without the colorful language that has become associated with Trump. Vance was present in the now-infamous Oval Office conversation between Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He confronted Zelenskyy about his campaign stop in Pennsylvania with the then Vice President Kamala Harris.
“You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who is trying to save your country,” Vance said.
Vance’s willingness to publicly address an old grievance drew the ire of politicians from both sides of Atlantic and the aisle. The confrontation was praised by the GOP base, who are tired of politicians being nice.
Matt Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for the conservative outlet Breitbart News said, “Vance is clearly the far, runaway front-runner, and no one else can hold a candle to him right now. He’s also been very smart about developing strong relationships with a lot of the MAGA ‘America First’ [originals] and with Congress in passing President Trump’s agenda and confirming the president’s Cabinet.”
Trump responded in February that it was too early to predict Vance as his successor for 2028, but Vance was “very competent.” Trump agreed with the vice president’s assessment. “I think he did exactly what he was supposed to say, but ‘It’s Too Early.'” Vance said that the focus should be on the policy of the administration, and elections will be considered closer to midterms.
He said, “We’ll then worry about the presidential politics when it is appropriate.”