Vance says Ted Cruz is ‘likable and authentic’ as Texas senator eyes up a White House bid
Vice President JD Vance dodged a question about whether he’d support Sen. Ted Cruz or War Secretary Pete Hegseth for president in 2028 but suggested that he could back another Republican candidate other than himself.
Both Cruz and Hegseth have reportedly privately discussed their desire to succeed President Donald Trump. Furthermore, Cruz, who came in second to Trump in the 2016 Republican primary, has been openly flirting with the idea in interviews.
Vance, viewed by many as the odds-on favorite to win the 2028 GOP nomination, has not yet formally announced his candidacy. He previously told reporters that he wouldn’t make a determination on the topic until after the midterm elections.
The vice president briefed reporters at the White House Thursday — the first press briefing following former press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s departure last month. The Washington Examiner asked Vance about possible runs from Cruz and Hegseth, but he declined to “take the bait,” calling it “innovative way to ask the question” about 2028 jockeying.
“First of all, I’d encourage any Republican, if you care about the country — and I think all of us do — you should be focused not on a job a few years from now,” he countered. “What I’m focused on is trying to get as many Republicans elected as possible so that we can do as much good as possible for the second two years of the Trump administration. That’s a long time. There’s a lot of opportunity there.”
Still, Vance proceeded to say that he could “see [himself] supporting a whole host of people” before commending his two possible primary rivals.
“Pete is a great guy,” he stated with a smile. “And on Ted Cruz, I mean, look — clearly Ted is a very authentic and likable guy, and I’m sure he’ll do great.”
TRUMP ISN’T DISSUADING REPUBLICANS FROM CHALLENGING VANCE OR RUBIO IN 2028
You can watch Vance’s comments in full below.
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