How Vance’s midterms aftermath post came together

POLITICO · Alex Gangitano, Meredith Lee Hill, Megan Messerly, Sophia Cai · 2026-11-04 22:26 UTC

Wednesday’s statement is the vice president's first post-election attempt to distance himself from a war the president has repeatedly defended.

Vice President JD Vance Wednesday morning personally drafted the post laying the blame for Republicans’ electoral humiliation on the decision to attack Iran, according to two people familiar with his effort.

The vice president then gave the White House a heads-up before he posted the 614-word missive, according to the two people and a senior White House official, all of whom were granted anonymity to discuss the matter.

President Donald Trump was “totally fine with it,” the senior White House official said.

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