Vice President JD Vance’s star is not only fading within Donald Trump’s inner circle, he is also alienating key MAGA movers and shakers whose support he will require if he makes a bid to be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee in 2028.
According to a report from former Trump appointee Matthew Bartlett writing for MS NOW, it has become commonplace in GOP circles to hear conservatives echo the liberal complaint that "JD Vance sucks."
While Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emerged as Trump's widely perceived heir apparent, the same MAGA conservatives who once championed Vance as the future of the movement have turned on him — primarily because he has neglected to cultivate relationships with grassroots leaders and key activists across the country.
In fact, Bartlett wrote, he often just ignores them.
Conservative insiders and state-based activists are griping that Vance is failing to leverage his position as vice president effectively. They argue he should be hosting grassroots leaders across the country and actively keeping Trump's MAGA coalition intact.
Some prominent Republican and MAGA activists don't even have close relationships with the vice president. The contrast is stark: when you call Trump, he calls you back quickly. When you call Vance's office, responses are slow — if they come at all, Bartlett is reporting.
According to the former Trump insider, Vance has cultivated a combative online persona, posting sharp and sometimes nasty social media responses, that same acerbic tone appears to carry over into his personal interactions. Unlike Trump, who allies recognize can be charming and even funny, Vance seems to operate on a single, flat note.
Though Trump likely wants a wide-open 2028 primary where he can resume his "Apprentice" persona and judge a large field of candidates, the race could be decided swiftly if Trump endorses Rubio over Vance.
Such a move would immediately reshape MAGA base polling and make it virtually impossible for any other candidate to mount a serious nomination challenge. The traditional 50-state nomination process could be replaced with an Oval Office coronation, leaving the Republican Party and MAGA faithful with little say in the matter, the MS NOW opinion piece concluded.