[US midterm election] Vance seeks differentiation from ‘Jingbirok’… “Trump betrayal” evaluation (comprehensive)

(Washington = Yonhap News) Correspondent Hong Jeong-gyu = U.S. Vice President JD Vance pointed out on the 4th (local time) that the Republican Party's crushing defeat in the midterm elections was caused by the war with Iran, and called for a speedy end to the war and focus on the price issue.

Some say that Vice President Vance's post sharply criticizing the strategy of the administration he served in effectively betrayed U.S. President Donald Trump, considering his run for the 2028 presidential election.

In an article posted on

On the day of the election, he said, "(Public opinion poll data) shows that many voters who voted for Trump and Vance in 2024 are angry and plan to vote for the other party. Our voters are showing up at the polls, but they may not vote for us."

He continued, "Now it seems like that statement came true like a prophecy. Our voters actually showed up to the polls (in large numbers)," and pointed out, "The main problem is not voter turnout. The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump and Vance in 2024 voted for the Democratic Party in 2026."

Another opinion poll expert said, "We have confirmed that many voters who voted for Trump in 2024 are angry and plan to vote for the Democratic Party," and that four ways were proposed to "bring them back to our side."

Vice President Vance said these measures include "End the war (with Iran)," "Focus on the cost of living and inflation," "Practice America First," and "Change our relationship with Israel."

“Our voters came out to the polls, and many of them voted Democratic for these four reasons,” he said. “The reason we lost was because of the war. The president himself said so last night.”

The idea is that the Iran war started by President Trump has increased the cost of living and stimulated inflation, and that there must be some distance from Israel, which promoted the war. Vice President Vance is considered a leading Iranian war skeptic within the Trump administration. He is also a person who does not support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He added, "If you want to argue that it was worth the price, that losing the Senate for the next six years was a price worth paying, then go for it. Make the argument that it was a price worth paying. Whether you agree with it or not, at least that's an honest argument."

He also said, “I am open to the idea that we should change the way we crack down on (illegal immigration). For example, focus more on companies that hire illegal workers.” However, he objected, saying, “Anyone pushing for amnesty (for illegal immigrants) is lying to you.”

“We all know why we lost,” Vance said, “and that’s where any honest conversation about where we should go from here must start.”

Vice President Vance's remarks are different from President Trump's perception that the war to stop Iran's development of nuclear weapons was inevitable and that the resulting high oil prices must be tolerated. It is also quite different from President Trump's denial of inflation itself and his public support for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Immigration enforcement policies are also relatively moderate.

This can be interpreted as a context in which, as the Republican Party's next presidential candidate, he is seeking to differentiate himself from President Trump by using 'Jingbirok' to review the election defeat. In the U.S. political world, it is expected that Vice President Vance will begin his bid for the presidency in earnest after the midterm elections.

CNN broadcast commented on Vice President Vance's remarks, saying, "Vice President Vance betrayed President Trump in an attempt to revive hopes for the 2028 presidential election."

CNN pointed out, "The candid post he posted contained several explicit criticisms of the president and Trump's second-term strategy," and added, "It is a surprising move for the vice president to make just a few hours after the White House suffered a crushing defeat."

According to a New York Times report citing sources, Vice President Vance showed the message to President Trump before posting it and received a positive response. President Trump also told reporters that day that Vice President Vance's diagnosis was "generally correct."

However, the NYT also analyzed that Vice President Vance is "keeping his distance from President Trump."

The NYT pointed out, "At a critical political crossroads, when the Republican Party is assessing the fallout from its crushing defeat in the midterm elections and the party's leadership is considering the way forward, Vice President Vance's arguments had the effect of separating him from President Trump's decision-making."