Today marks the conclusion of the first year of President Trump’s second term. There’s little doubt, unless one is very partisan, that this past year has seen a series of significant achievements—border enforcement, the “8/4” peace negotiations, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and efforts like Midnight Hammer and Absolute Resolve. Economically, lower inflation, rising wages, and enhanced domestic energy production are notable improvements, along with steps towards developing small modular nuclear reactors. Notably, though President Trump and his administration aren’t making headlines about energy advancements, the future of AI and national security hinges on these developments.
What stands out most about Trump’s accomplishments is that he commands the most powerful military in history and knows how to wield it. By adopting a more aggressive stance—so-called “Punisher” strategy—he restored a sense of deterrence that the U.S. lost after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Countries and figures like Iran, various terrorist factions in Africa, and Nicolas Maduro have faced consequences for acting outside the parameters set by Trump. Iran, in particular, might be poised for a major retaliatory strike that could decimate its oil facilities while crippling the financial capabilities of its leadership.
Today also marks Vice President J.D. Vance’s first year in office. A former senator from Ohio, investment banker, and Marine, Vance has played an excellent role as the vice president, supporting Trump and stepping into any necessary diplomatic situation.
Vance has gained particular recognition for his communication abilities—especially noted during his debates, like with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in 2024. It seems he’s attracting a lot of attention, more so than most vice presidents, except perhaps for Dick Cheney post-9/11.
There’s even a buzz about Vance being a potential 2028 candidate, with some based on discussions in Republican circles. Whenever I engage with group discussions, it’s inevitable that someone mentions Vance’s prospects for the future, often with the notion that he’s destined for the presidency, possibly with Secretary Rubio as his running mate. These speculations can be a bit much; political predictions rarely unfold as envisioned, and frontrunners often fall behind.
Regardless, Vance’s public persona is quite clear. Anyone interested can see his appearances, read interviews, or talk to Republican groups beyond Washington. He’s recognized as a significant prospect for the future.
But it must be strange for Vance to see people claiming to understand his thoughts or opinions on issues he hasn’t publicly addressed. Several analysts and reporters seem to express opinions on his private conversations or even speculate what he might be considering beyond his public engagements. But Vance is not an enigma; he spent years in public service and politics prior to this role, interacting with both voters and the media extensively.
While Trump may outshine him in public appearances and interviews, that’s somewhat typical for a vice president. Vance appears comfortable in his role and seems to thrive on the arrangement.
Amidst this, the negative scrutiny towards Vance is oddly persistent. It’s curious how often the media covers policy views or speculations about Vance that he hasn’t actually shared. Some journalists even claim insight into his private advice to Trump or hint at some kind of external influence over his policy choices.
Why the fixation? It seems much of the legacy media may have an agenda to undermine Vance ahead of 2028 by portraying him in a negative light, casting him as someone akin to an isolationist.
This effort appears futile. After all, you can’t read someone’s mind, and anonymous sources often don’t provide insight but rather serve existing narratives. The preoccupation with Vance feels aimed at creating a divide between him and Trump, as if to simplify challenges from potential Democratic candidates.
The narrative that “Vance is worse than Trump” is gaining traction online, with numerous critiques directed at him surfacing with alarming frequency.
In his inaugural year, Vance has played a significant role supporting Trump’s policies, and concerns among critics arise over the lasting impact of his “America First” stance. It seems there’s a fear among left-leaning circles that Trump’s initiatives might prove resilient against reversal.
As Trump’s administration celebrates various successes, it’s likely that both he and supporters like Vance will keep attracting scrutiny from those aligned against them. The phenomena of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” could be mirrored in growing criticisms of Vance, both of which seem unlikely to diminish as we move into the next year of Trump’s term.
