FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
An episode in the White House and recent political developments call into question his role in the Trump administration.
At a closed Easter lunch at the White House, President Trump decided to entertain those present by humiliating his deputy.
Trump asked Vice President JD Vance for an update on peace negotiations with Iran. “ How are they going? ” he asked, according to a video of the event that the White House apparently accidentally posted online.
“ It’s going well, sir, ” Vance replied, but Trump cut him off. “Do you see what’s happening?” the president asked, referring to a successful conclusion to the war.
“Uh,” the vice president replied, adding, “we’ll give you a summary.”
Trump then continued with the joke: “Well, if it doesn’t happen, I’ll blame it on JD Vance ,” as the audience erupted in laughter. The President then added: “If it does happen, I’ll take all the credit.”
The question is whether Vance understands that Trump has mocked him. What is striking is not only that he continues to humiliate himself, but that he benefits less and less from this behavior. As his political prospects fade, his political weight also seems to be declining.
In recent years, Vance has repeatedly made compromises to advance his career, first to win a Senate seat and then to become Trump's number two. He embraced anti-immigration positions that he had previously called "unacceptable" and other controversial elements of the MAGA movement, hoping to position himself as its next leader.
What once seemed like a sure path to the Republican nomination for president in 2028 now looks more uncertain. Vance is experiencing a similar situation to other ambitious Republicans who got close to Trump and then were used and sidelined by him.
The ethno-nationalist wing with which Vance has been associated appears to be weakening both inside and outside the US. The war with Iran has exposed divisions within the MAGA movement, disappointing those who believed Trump's promise not to start new wars.
Vance had emerged as a strong voice for “America First,” declaring in 2024 that a war with Iran was “clearly” against the national interest. Yet Trump has politically linked him to the conflict.
Polls show Vance's public approval ratings are at low levels, similar to those of the president. His position as a potential successor to Trump in the MAGA movement is weakening, while other Republican figures, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are gaining ground.
Faced with these developments, Vance is reacting in the way that has often characterized him: by accepting situations that place him in a difficult position.
He is expected to travel to Hungary to campaign for Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an authoritarian leader and Kremlin ally who has expressed strong anti-immigration views.
It is not clear how much Orban stands to gain from the visit. After 16 years in power, his party is losing ground in the polls, despite Trump's support and recent contacts with American officials.
Vance may be hoping the visit will shift attention away from the Iran issue and improve his standing with MAGA. Trump supporters often praise Orban, who has changed Hungary's constitution to create what he calls an "illiberal democracy" and has clashed repeatedly with the European Union over his anti-immigration policies.
Unlike a typical Democratic leader, getting involved in the Orban campaign doesn't seem to be a problem for Vance.
He is the vice president of a president who once called him a “cultural hero” and expressed fears that he could become “America’s Hitler.” From a public intellectual, he has transformed into a figure who often uses harsh language towards critics and the media.
On several occasions, he has downplayed criticism of Republicans who have engaged in racist statements, including those targeting the Indian community, where his family comes from. He has also spread conspiracy theories, such as the claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio have kidnapped and eaten pets.
However, despite his political flexibility, it is not clear whether these stances will improve his perception. Meanwhile, Hungary's economy has faced stagnation, while Orban's inner circle has become richer.
Recent developments suggest that Orban's political model is increasingly facing difficulties. Similar right-wing movements in Europe have suffered electoral losses, while some parties have distanced themselves from Trump over the war.
Meanwhile, Vance's efforts to distance himself from war decisions have been limited by the president himself, who has stated that he has been essentially supportive of this policy.
In this situation, Vance is left to argue that the war is acceptable because of the current leadership, emphasizing the difference with previous administrations.
Despite the praise for his abilities, it remains unclear whether he will be able to emerge from this political position with a more independent and stronger role. /Adapted from the New York Times /
Lini një Përgjigje