VP JD Vance says he is ready to take charge if a “terrible tragedy” prevents Donald Trump from serving.
Amid renewed focus on Donald Trump’s age and health, Vice President JD Vance said he is “ready to take charge” if a “terrible tragedy” ever prevents Trump from finishing his term.
While JD Vance stressed that Trump remains “incredibly good health,” his comments come at a time when speculation about the president’s fitness has been growing after he was spotted with a visible bruise on his hand. The statement highlights both loyalty to Trump and Vance’s growing presence as a possible future Republican leader.
At 78, Trump is already the oldest US president in history. His health has been under scrutiny since he returned to the White House earlier this year. Recently, a photo showing a large bruise on his hand during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung triggered fresh rumours about his condition.
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JD Vance tried to dismiss those worries in an interview with USA Today. He praised Trump’s stamina and daily routine. “While most of the people who work around the president are younger than he is, I think we find that he actually is the last person who goes to sleep; he’s the last person taking phone calls. He is the first person who wakes up and the first person making phone calls in the morning," Vance said. He added, “The president is in incredibly good health...He's got incredible energy."
Even while defending Trump’s health, Vance admitted that he is prepared to take charge if needed. “And if, God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy, I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve had in the last 200 days,” the 41-year-old said.
JD Vance, the third-youngest vice president in US history, said the White House has been the best preparation for future leadership. He also noted how he felt when he entered the Oval Office for the first time. “It was an amazing thing. I was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the office, all of the incredible history that had been made,” he said.
Trump himself has praised Vance and even called him his “most likely” heir to the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. “Well, I think most likely," Trump told reporters, suggesting Vance could carry forward his political legacy. Trump also hinted at a possible Vance-Marco Rubio partnership for a future Republican ticket.
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This endorsement fuels speculation that Vance is being positioned not only as a backup for Trump’s presidency but also as a long-term leader for the Republican Party.
Vance’s remarks serve two purposes. On one hand, he reassures Americans that Trump remains healthy and strong. On the other, he subtly signals his own readiness to step into the role of president if needed.
His growing national profile, along with Trump’s backing, makes him a figure to watch not just for the present term, but also for 2028 and beyond.
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