Vice President JD Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu, keeps 2028 run open
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The gist
Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu a day after Trump did.
His 2028 plans and the midterms are the stakes to watch.
Background
JD Vance is the U.S. Vice President, whom President Donald Trump has called his "most likely" Republican successor. In mid-October he took questions at a CBS News town hall in Michigan, a swing state, and campaigned in North Carolina, while declining to back Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection after Trump had endorsed him. Vance has faced skepticism from Jewish Republicans over his commitment to Jewish Americans and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
How it unfolded
- Oct 17, 2026Vance took questions from voters in Michigan during an hour-long CBS News town hall hosted by Tony Dokoupil.
- Oct 18, 2026CBS News published a video segment on whether Vance will run for president in 2028.
- Oct 19, 2026Vance delivered remarks at a campaign rally at Hyder Warehouse in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
- Oct 20, 2026Vance declined to endorse Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, a day after Trump endorsed the Israeli leader.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Vance said on a 2028 run that "of course there's a chance" he won't run, calling himself a procrastinator who will "have to think about it."
- Official
- On the economy, Vance blamed a "bipartisan, multi-generational failure" to invest in American workers and manufacturing, saying it will take more than 18 months to turn things around.
- Public
- Sandy Johnson, who owns a family entertainment center, said her business is "barely making ends meet" and asked when the normal American will have money to spend on small businesses.
- Caution
- Vance has faced skepticism from Jewish Republicans about his commitment to Jewish Americans and the U.S. alliance with Israel.