Former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday slammed JD Vance’s post‑election analysis, saying the GOP’s midterm collapse stemmed from the unfinished war in Iran and the Trump administration’s economic missteps, not from Trump’s decision to start the conflict. He argued the war became a frustration because the administration didn’t finish it, not because Trump launched it. Pence also warned about economic policies, a retreat from conservative principles and an “air of corruption” surrounding the White House.
Pence Blames War, Corruption and Policy Failures
He argued the war became a frustration because the administration didn’t finish it, not because Trump launched it. Pence also warned about economic policies, a retreat from conservative principles and an “air of corruption” surrounding the White House. He noted concerns about the First Family’s wealth increase, including more than a billion dollars in cryptocurrency, and said he has no way to verify but wouldn’t speculate.
Vance’s Postmortem Cites War as Primary Cause
In his Election Day assessment, Vance wrote that the loss was due to the war, echoing Trump’s claim. He referenced an unnamed pollster saying disaffected voters wanted the conflict ended, lower inflation, and a stronger “America first” stance, plus a tougher relationship with Israel.
Republican Leaders Reject Vance’s View
Pence told Fox News Digital he “disagrees” with Vance, calling the war frustration a symptom of “politics of appeasement” and stressing that the election outcome was about broader issues, not just fuel prices. He warned that criticism of Israel is collapsing into antisemitism and has no place in America.
Allies Attack Pence, Defend Trump
A Vance ally dismissed Pence as a “neocon warmonger” out of touch with voters, accusing him of retreating to think‑tank circles. Pence countered that Republicans must return to traditional conservative principles, condemn protectionist tariffs, appeasement of Russia and Iran, and the marginalization of the pro‑life stance.
Poll Shows Corruption as Top Voter Concern
The Fox News Voter Poll found 55% of respondents listed government corruption as crucial to their vote, with 36% calling it a major factor. Pence said the “air of corruption” around the Trump administration, including the First Family’s alleged $3 billion wealth gain, contributed to voter anger.
Looking Ahead
Pence urged the GOP to recommit to its 50‑year‑old conservative platform, arguing that the party’s future depends on rejecting Trump’s redirection toward tariffs, Russia‑Iran appeasement, and corruption. He described the midterm result as a “reckoning” rather than a simple rout.
