The Republican Party is starting to show cracks. And it could change everything.
Now a key Republican Senator broke ranks with the 2028 GOP frontrunner.
Rand Paul Voices Concerns Over Vance as Potential Trump Successor
Sen. Rand Paul stated on Sunday that he does not support positioning Vice President J.D. Vance as the presumptive heir to President Trump in 2028.
Although Vance has not announced any plans to run for president, he has recently garnered notable endorsements, including from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA—the influential conservative organization founded by her late husband, Charlie Kirk.
Paul expressed that Vance does not align with the “conservative free-market wing” he believes should guide the Republican Party moving forward.
“I think there needs to be representatives in the Republican Party who still believe international trade is good, who still believe in free market capitalism, who still believe in low taxes,” the Kentucky Republican said on ABC’s This Week.
“It used to separate conservatives and liberals that conservatives thought it was a spending problem, we didn’t want less revenue, we wanted less spending,” Mr. Paul said. “But now all these pro-tariff protectionists, they love taxes. And so they tax, tax, tax and then they brag about all the revenue coming in. That has never been a conservative position.”
Paul’s Stance on Tariffs and Party Direction
Paul has emerged as one of the few Republican voices openly critical of the Trump administration’s tariff policies, even collaborating with Democrats on bills aimed at repealing them.
In response, President Trump has previously described Paul as an obstructionist who often votes against major Republican initiatives, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included tax cuts, border security measures, and other key party priorities.
Other Republican Perspectives on Vance’s Prospects
Paul was not alone among GOP senators fielding questions about Vance’s potential presidential bid on Sunday.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina sidestepped a direct question about endorsing Vance during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“I’m worried about tomorrow,” he said.
Graham did acknowledge, however, that Erika Kirk’s endorsement represents “a big get” for Vance.
He added that the Republican Party’s long-term trajectory “will be determined in how well we do keeping America safe and prosperous.”
