JD Vance, Donald Trump's vice-president, has been making a series of outlandish statements that seem counterintuitive for a man with presidential ambitions. From criticizing the Pope to dismissing Watergate, Vance's remarks have raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. But according to media analyst Margaret Sullivan, these comments are no accident—they are a deliberate strategy to appeal to Trump's base and position himself as the natural successor to the former president.
Vance's Controversial Remarks
In recent weeks, Vance, a Catholic convert, suggested that Pope Leo should be cautious when discussing theology. He also downplayed the Watergate scandal, calling the cover-up "no big deal" and arguing that it should not have brought down President Nixon. Additionally, he described the Vatican's welcoming stance on immigration as "troubling," contradicting core Catholic teachings. Father James Martin SJ, a prominent Jesuit priest, pushed back, noting Jesus's message of caring for strangers.
During the 2024 campaign, Vance scorned single women as "childless cat ladies," a comment he later disavowed. He also spread the false claim that Haitian-Americans were stealing and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
A Strategy for Power
Sullivan argues that Vance's outrageous comments are intended to signal to Trump's dedicated base that he shares their grievances and values. "He's sending a clear message that he's just as good at stirring up hate and grievance as Trump," she writes. This positions him against more moderate Republicans like Marco Rubio, his likely competitor for the 2028 nomination.
Former labor secretary Robert Reich described Vance as resembling Trump in his willingness to lie and lack of principle, but being "smarter and more ruthless." Sullivan calls this a recipe for a more dangerous demagogue.
Unpopularity and Desperation
Despite his ambitions, Vance is historically unpopular. CNN's Harry Enten noted that his approval ratings are "underwater," partly due to his forays into international affairs, such as campaigning for Hungary's Viktor Orbán, who lost his re-election bid. As the US engages with Iran, Vance has been dispatched to represent the White House, even as most Americans prefer a focus on domestic issues.
Sullivan concludes that Vance's attention-getting utterances have a desperate quality, aiming to stand up for intolerance and corruption. "It may make him the obvious successor to Trump. And that, after all, is exactly what JD Vance is angling for."
