Vice President JD Vance is weighing in on a potential presidential run byU.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
Vance was asked whether he could see himself supporting Cruz or Pete Hegseth for president in 2028 during a White House media briefingon Sept. 3.
“Clearly Ted is a very authentic and likable guy, and I’m sure he’ll do great,” Vance said.
Vance cautioned against focusing on the 2028 presidential race, instead encouraging Republicans to focus on the2026 midterm elections.
“Politically, I’m very much focused on the midterm elections,” Vance said, adding that he is currently supporting candidates seeking election in November.
Vance’s comments come after President Donald Trump also praised Cruz, his former Republican primary rival, as a “very talented guy.” Trump was
asked by a reporter Thursday, Aug. 27, in the Oval Office, what he thought about the Texas Republican potentially making another run for the White House.
“I would say that he’s very talented. He’s a very good friend of mine,” Trump said. “I think he might do that. Yeah, he’s a talented guy.”
Cruz, who finished second to Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, has recently fueled speculation that he could make another bid for the White House.
“It’s no secret that I want to be president,” Cruz said during an appearance on Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s podcast.
When Patrick directly asked Cruz whether he planned to run again, Cruz stopped short of announcing a campaign.
“Time will tell,” Cruz said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JD Vance calls Ted Cruz 'authentic and likable' amid 2028 buzz
