TPUSA goes ‘all in’ for Vance in 2028
Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, says Turning Points USA is “all in” behind Vice President J.D. Vance for 2028, honoring Charlie’s vision of coalition building and open debate.
While Vice President J.D. Vance may disagree, many observers saw his speech at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest this weekend in Phoenix as the first big moment of the 2028 presidential election. But was Vance crowned the nominee? It’s complicated.
Anna, in her thirties and a longtime attendee of AmFest, was completely engaged with Vance after the speech.
“I live in Florida and I love Governor DeSantis, but he is too right-wing for the entire country,” she told me.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and second lady Usha Vance arrive in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2025, for President Donald Trump to sign an executive order on foster children and families. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Paul, who was in his 50s and attending his first TPUSA event, expressed a similar sentiment, saying, “Who else is out there? I don’t see why we shouldn’t just stick with what’s already working.”
BYRON DONALDS URGES CONSERVATIVES TO ‘FOCUS ON THE MISSION’ AT AMERICFEST AFTER 2025 SETUP
Almost everyone I spoke to, and I spoke to a lot of people, shared this view. The exception was Kelli, who is 55 and is fiercely proud that her two 20-something children have remained staunch conservatives in bright blue Seattle. She likes Vance, but said, “I think he has to earn it. We need a real primary.”
Something unique is happening here.
After the 2022 midterm disaster for Republicans, I asked Republican voters who supported both Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis if they wanted everyone to go all-in for their guy or if they wanted a fight. Everyone chose the latter, but that is no longer the case today.
VIVEK RAMASWAMY CRITICISM BOXES OF ‘ONLINE RIGHT’ ESTABLISHED ON HERITAGE IN TURNING POINT ADDRESS
It’s not so much Vance himself who is garnering near-universal support at AmFest, it’s the Trump administration, the team the president has put together. More so than any presidential election since Vice President Al Gore in 2000, this threatens to become a race for a third term.
Is a Vance/Rubio 2028 ticket possible? (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
In the English language we don’t have many pleasant-sounding words for a small group of people who hold power. Expressions like ‘regime’ and ‘cabal’ come across as negative, but there is nothing undemocratic about this idea, it’s just a bit untraditional.
At a time when Congress cannot pass a resolution to tie its own boots, many voters look to the executive branch for consistency and continuity.
JD VANCE SHUT DOWN MAGA SUCCESSION CHATTER AFTER MUSK REPORT
I asked Vance himself about this theory and whether he was putting himself forward for a third Trump term.
“Honestly, it feels disloyal to even talk about 2028,” he said. “We’re not even a year in! But yes, I’m very much in the team. It’s one of the reasons why I think the talk about 2028 is so premature.”
“Consider this hypothetically: If an opportunity arises that would make Marco Rubio look good, be great for the administration, and not really involve me (at least publicly), what should I do?” Vance continued. “If I optimize for 2028, I try to seize the opportunity. If I optimize for the country, for the government and to be a good person, then we do that.”
TIM SCOTT TELLS MAGA VOTERS TRUMP ‘IS ON THE BALLOT’ AS GOP FIGHTS TO GROW SENATE MAJORITY IN 2026
To be clear, Vance told me flat out that he’s not thinking about 2028. But his comments suggested, I think rightly, that somehow it will be the Trump administration and its policies and priorities that will be on the ballot in 2028, and not some new vision.
Aside from his position as No. 2 on the Trump team, the other reason Vance appears to have a preview for 2028 is the enthusiasm young conservative voters have for him.
There were teenagers lining up at 4am to see Vance. I have a teenager and getting him out of bed before 10am on a Sunday is a miracle, but the kids love their vice president, there’s no denying that.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
We are a long way from 2028 and there are many dominoes yet to fall. But as it gets closer, the entire Trump administration will not only defend its record in the presidential race but also ask to stay in power.
Trump has taken the conservative movement to the mountaintop, within sight of the promised land. Is JD Vance the man who can take it there? Only time will tell, but if you ask almost anyone at AmFest, the answer is a resounding yes.
CLICK HERE TO DAVID MARCUS
