Susie Wiles knew about Vance’s post blaming GOP midterms disaster on Iran days before being axed by Trump

Susie Wiles knew about Vance’s post blaming GOP midterms disaster on Iran days before being axed by Trump Vance blamed the Iran war for the Republicans’ humiliating performance at the midterm elections - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in 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. Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, publicly backed Vance's commentary on social media, alongside several conservative allies. The exchange has further elevated Vance as a potential post-Trump conservative standard-bearer, according to Michael Ricci, a Republican strategist and former adviser to House Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan. Ricci noted that Vance’s intervention pushed conservatives to debate the merits of the conflict and consider which core principles Republican presidential candidates should embrace in 2028. "It’s simplistic to say this about him looking for ways to differentiate himself from Trump," Ricci said. "This is about him using his megaphone of the vice presidency to set the terms of debate." Spokespeople for Vance declined to comment. White House representatives referred inquiries to Trump's Wednesday remarks, in which he expressed an understanding of Vance's view on the election results. Democrats are preparing to link Vance—or any eventual Republican nominee—directly to Trump in 2028, particularly if the president remains central to vetting potential contenders. "There’s a real challenge of how you position yourself to be viable in a general election while winning a primary that still requires you to bow down and kiss the ring," said Democratic strategist Igor Volsky. Vance’s personal brand did not come through the midterms completely unblemished. Republicans suffered losses in states where he stumped, and some tactics he supported—including an ad from Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy casting doubt on sexual abuse reported by victorious Democratic candidate Amy Acton—may have turned voters away from Republicans. Other prospective 2028 contenders have shared their own diagnoses of the defeat. US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said Republicans had failed to do enough on affordability. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis argued that defeated candidates spent too much time on transgender issues while overlooking voter concerns regarding data centers and artificial intelligence. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has remained silent. Vance's push to frame the conversation was evident throughout the campaign's final days. In stump speeches, he told voters to back Republicans to ensure investigations into fraud within federal healthcare and antipoverty programs, connecting those topics to cost of living and the White House's immigration agenda. He largely ignored gas prices and the Iran war, and rarely mentioned Trump by name. "I want my kids to raise a family in a country that is vibrant and thriving and free and prosperous. I want the simple things," Vance told one of his final rallies in North Carolina. "And because I want that for me, I want it for you too."