Trump cracks a joke; Vance may pay the price on Iran

President Trump cracked a joke Wednesday about who would get credit — or blame — for his administration’s Iran deal. 

If the Iran effort succeeds, Trump said, he would take the credit. If it fails, he said he would blame Vice President Vance. 

“You better be careful, JD!” the president quipped. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the hawk who pushed for the war at the outset, stood quietly alongside the president.

The remark drew laughs. But it also underscored a political reality that has emerged in recent weeks, particularly during the Iran war and the negotiations to end it. As the talks for the deal unfolded, it was Vance — not Rubio — who took center stage. 

The arrangement has caused chatter about why Vance — who was initially opposed to the war — has emerged as the administration’s most visible voice on the matter, a noticeable shift from earlier.

It also sets up the idea that Vance has political ownership over what has been an unpopular war, which could be a risky proposition should he be thinking of mounting a presidential bid in two years.

“It was a terrible day for Vice President Vance and his 2028 presidential aspirations,” said one former Trump staffer. “You have Republicans like Lindsey Graham already labeling this ‘the Vance deal’ and President Trump has now supercharged that notion. … And if you noticed, Rubio was standing there stone silent.” 

“This is a very s‑‑‑ deal for JD Vance,” the former Trump staffer said. 

The timing has only elevated the conversation around Vance — in part because he is on a book tour.

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