Republican infighting erupts after midterm losses as 2028 hopefuls target Trump

The Republican Party suffered a generational collapse in Tuesday's midterm elections, triggering internal blame largely directed at President Donald Trump and opening the door for 2028 hopefuls to position themselves for the party's future. Vice President JD Vance, the presumed frontrunner, distanced himself from Trump and the Iran war, blaming the defeat on the conflict, cost of living and US-Israel ties. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called it an "extinction-level event" and demanded a ban on lawmaker stock trading, a jab at Trump. Senator Ted Cruz cast the election as a historic repudiation of tariffs and the Middle East war. Republicans lost at least seven Senate seats and Democrats are expected to gain their biggest House margin since the 1970s, with Speaker Mike Johnson set to step down.