Vice President JD Vance is facing a barrage of criticism from within the Republican party, which his allies suggest is a coordinated campaign designed to undermine his political future, according to a report by The Washington Post. The intensity and early timing of the attacks, occurring more than two years before the party will select its next presidential nominee, are noted as unusual compared to previous vice presidents.
Vance has been viewed as a potential successor to former President Donald Trump's MAGA movement, though he has not officially declared intentions to run for president in 2028. Trump himself has previously described a potential Vance-Rubio ticket as a "dream team."
However, recent polling indicates a decline in Vance's support among Republican primary voters in New Hampshire. A University of New Hampshire poll shows his support dropping to 36% from 53% in February, according to CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.
Detractors have reportedly adopted the slogan "Never Vance" and have been vocal on social media, particularly in the past week, with accusations that Vance is "unfit" for his current role. This criticism intensified following Vance's appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, where he made controversial statements regarding the handling of Jeffrey Epstein case files and alleged Israeli manipulation of U.S. public opinion to prolong the conflict with Iran. Vance also claimed a "discreet, extremely well-funded campaign" exists to disrupt U.S.-Iran negotiations.
The Washington Post's analysis of posts from conservative influencers on X showed a significant spike in criticism of Vance immediately after his podcast interview, with notable commentators like Ben Shapiro among those voicing disapproval. A close Vance ally told The Washington Post that the influx of attacks appears "totally inauthentic and probably coordinated to a certain extent."
Sources familiar with Vance's strategy echoed this sentiment, suggesting that detractors are attempting to create a division between Vance and Trump and are actively working to prevent him from becoming the GOP nominee in 2028. Jon Schweppe, a Vance supporter, stated that individuals within the party and influencer circles are trying to diminish Vance's standing in hopes that a challenger can emerge to defeat him, describing the effort as "absolutely organized."