Vance's Iran War Blame Reaches Trump Aides Before Wiles Firing

Vice President JD Vance blamed the Iran war for Republicans' loss of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections, publicly breaking from President Trump's defense of the conflict days before chief of staff Susie Wiles was replaced. Vance's social media post, which Wiles knew about in advance, called for a swift end to the war and urged Republicans to focus on affordability and reform US-Israel relations. The vice president had deliberately avoided discussing the war and Trump during campaign speeches, instead emphasizing economic nationalism and public safety. Trump replaced Wiles with Stephen Miller on Friday, signaling a hardline shift, while Donald Trump Jr. backed Vance's commentary. The move elevates Vance as a potential 2028 contender, though Democrats plan to link any Republican nominee to Trump.