Susie Wiles knew about Vance’s post blaming GOP midterms disaster on Iran days before being axed by Trump
During the final stretch of his campaign to protect Republican fortunes in the midterm elections, Vice President JD Vance adjusted his approach, speaking less about President Donald Trump and focusing more on the issues defining his own political identity.
Vance framed his argument for Republicans, who ultimately lost control of Congress in Tuesday’s vote, almost entirely through his own policy portfolio, according to a review of six speeches delivered since the Republican convention in September.
He bypassed signature White House policies, including deportations and the war in Iran, as public polling indicated that the president’s declining popularity was dragging down Republican candidates.
Two sources familiar with the strategy described the pivot as intentional. Vance and his advisers viewed his primary themes—economic nationalism, foreign policy restraint, and public safety—as potent topics he could address with authority. While Trump integrated those concepts into his MAGA platform, Vance had positioned himself as their chief proponent, the sources noted.
This tactical change offers an early look at how the 42-year-old vice president could chart an independent course as Republicans begin to look beyond Trump.
Vance has not stated whether he intends to run for president in 2028, and Trump has offered no endorsements. Nevertheless, Vance is considered a premier potential contender who party officials say must inherit much of Trump’s coalition while distancing himself from his superior’s political liabilities.
Vance moved more publicly on Wednesday to reinforce his personal political brand with a strikingly candid election postmortem. Writing on social media, he attributed the Republican defeat to the Iran war and laid out a strategy for a party recovery.
He called for a swift end to the conflict and urged Republicans to concentrate on affordability, reevaluate foreign relations, and reform the US relationship with Israel.
Trump, by contrast, has previously described voter concerns over affordability as a Democratic “hoax.” He launched the military intervention in Iran following prolonged lobbying by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Trump later endorsed in the Israeli election.
The online post marked the first time Vance openly advocated for concluding the war.
Three individuals familiar with White House and vice-presidential communications said the vice president was not breaking with Trump, adding that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles had advance knowledge of Vance’s message.
On Friday, however, Trump restructured his senior White House team, replacing Wiles with Stephen Miller—a movement suggesting the administration intends to double down on several hardline positions.
While Trump acknowledged that high gas prices resulting from the Iran war contributed to the Republican defeat, he defended the conflict. “I would have done nothing different,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
It could not be confirmed whether Trump was informed of Vance’s statement beforehand.
