JD Vance and his circle are privately weighing a 2028 presidential run, and some allies doubt any Republican can win the White House in two years.
Democrats flipped seven GOP Senate seats this week, including Vance's old Ohio seat, and some major donors say they won't back him.
Vance has blamed the Iran war for the losses, while allies argue voters rejected the war rather than Trump. Vance has told associates he hasn't decided, and Trump has not endorsed a successor.
Richard Walters, a deputy White House chief of staff, is leaving the Trump administration. His exit follows Trump's decision to replace Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller.
Walters had held the role since May 2026 and previously led the inaugural committee for Trump and JD Vance. Miller said Walters will keep helping from outside, and his departure is the first major staff change before Miller takes over on Monday.
Miller's wife, Katie, is also ending new episodes of her podcast to focus on their four kids.
A week after Israel's inconclusive election, American voters turned against Trump and gave Democrats the lead in Congress. Trump says he agreed with Benjamin Netanyahu to end $3.8 billion a year in US military aid to Israel by year's end.
Trump tied that move to how American voters are feeling, and Vice President JD Vance listed changing ties with Israel as a way for Republicans to win voters back.
Netanyahu has not commented on either development, while opposition contender Gadi Eisenkot says he wants a constructive working relationship with Trump.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio may be considering leaving the Trump administration after GOP midterm losses and the fallout from the Iran war.
He could step down to prepare for a possible 2028 presidential run, but he has yet to say whether he will resign or seek the nomination. JD Vance is seen as his chief likely competitor.
Republicans lost their majorities in both chambers of Congress, and up to five cabinet officials might step down. The White House and State Department both dismissed the report as baseless.
US Politics Daily@uspoliticsdaily
