JD Vance makes his pitch to be Trump's heir in 2028

THE 2028 QUESTION

JD Vance has given Republicans a pretty good idea of what a post-Trump Republican Party could look like — and judging by the reaction inside the convention hall, the vice-president already has a very enthusiastic audience.

Vance closed the Republican midterm convention in Dallas with a blistering speech packed with immigration, culture-war issues and attacks on Democrats, while carefully walking the political tightrope of appearing to be Trump's loyal lieutenant rather than his successor-in-waiting.

But the 2028 question was impossible to ignore.

As Vance walked onto the stage, the crowd erupted into chants of “JD, JD”, while some supporters openly shouted that he should be the Republican presidential nominee in 2028.

Vance smiled.

“We gotta take care of business this November, then we’ll worry about what comes next,” he replied.

Hardly a declaration of candidacy — but neither was it exactly a rejection.

CHANNELING TRUMP

Vance clearly knows what his audience wants.

The vice-president praised Trump as “the toughest SOB in American politics” and repeatedly paused as the Maga faithful cheered their approval.

But at the same time, he delivered a speech that could easily have come from Trump's own political playbook.

He attacked Democrats as “lunatics” and “radicals”, accused them of “doubling down on the crazy” and railed against immigration, transgender rights and what he described as attacks on the traditional American family.

THE MEXICO MOMENT

Then came the moment that produced the biggest roar of the night.

A protester briefly interrupted Vance's speech. Vance claimed the demonstrator was waving a Mexican flag and fired back:

“Well, my friend, if you love Mexico so much, get your ass over there. I'll buy you the plane ticket.”

The response was deafening.

The Maga crowd absolutely loved it.

It was classic Trump-style political theatre — and Vance demonstrated that he is perfectly comfortable playing the same game.

GOING AFTER THE DEMOCRATS

Vance also attacked what he called the Democrats' radical agenda, telling them to “stay the hell away from our kids”.

He promoted American manufacturing and religious freedom while attacking transgender rights and accusing Democrats of destroying traditional American values.

He also echoed Trump's disputed claims that Democrats had “cheered” the 7 October massacre of Israelis — another sign that Vance is perfectly willing to occupy Trump's political territory.

A MORE PERSONAL MESSAGE

There was a softer side to the speech too.

Vance spoke about the recent birth of his fourth child, saying he had been looking at America's future through the eyes of his son and thinking about “the birthright of this newest of Americans”.

But beneath the family message and the attacks on Democrats was a much bigger political story.

Vance is building his relationship with the Republican base.

WAITING IN THE WINGS?

He knows he cannot openly challenge Trump.

The president remains the dominant figure in the Republican Party, and Vance has little interest in appearing disloyal to the man who put him on the national ticket.

But he also knows that Trump cannot run forever.

Thursday night's convention therefore provided an intriguing glimpse of what Republicans might be looking for when the Trump era eventually comes to an end.

The crowd was already chanting Vance's name.

They were already talking about 2028.

And when they did, the man standing on the stage didn't tell them to stop.

He just smiled.

SOURCE

3 minutes ago, Social Media said:

and judging by the reaction inside the convention hall, the vice-president already has a very enthusiastic audience.

That made me laugh.

4 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Vance closed the Republican midterm convention in Dallas with a blistering speech packed with immigration, culture-war issues and attacks on Democrats,

Dog whistle politics you mean.

There was a softer side to the speech too. Vance spoke about the recent birth of his anchor baby........