Vance's Diet and Trump's Approval
US Vice-President JD Vance has reportedly lost 20 pounds in 20 days on a fermented foods diet promoted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. According to MSNBC, President Donald Trump is pleased with Vance's new figure, helping him regain favor. However, Vance's improved standing with Trump contrasts with widespread criticism from others.
Internal GOP Attacks and Allegations
Vance faces a barrage of allegations from within the Republican Party, including a member of his protective detail under investigation for leaking details about the Vance family's travel requests. The Hillbilly Elegy author allegedly requested helicopter drops for his son's golf lessons and last-minute chopper trips to Virginia for house-hunting, funded by taxpayers.
On Friday, the Washington Post reported that Vance has faced attacks "unlike that faced by other vice-presidents in decades," largely driven by his mild criticism of Israel and the Iran war. Vance's allies claim these are a "coordinated" attempt to undermine his 2028 presidential chances. Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen criticized Vance for contradicting Trump on Iran, saying, "[Vance] seems to be going off base a lot, and contradicting the president a lot in public lately, and it's not helpful."
Impact on 2028 Race
Vance's troubles benefit his rival for the 2028 Republican nomination, Marco Rubio, who is narrowing the gap in polls. Columnist Arwa Mahdawi notes that a setback for one awful politician often boosts someone even worse, calling it "quite the pickle."
