NewsNation political contributor Chris Cillizza said during a recent live stream on his YouTube channel that Vice President JD Vance is a formidable potential 2028 presidential candidate whom Democrats underestimate “at their own peril.”

An Emerson College poll published last week showed Vance with a 46 percent favorability rating, leading several prominent Republicans and Democrats, including potential 2028 contenders.

Reacting to the poll on X, Cillizza said the numbers reinforced his belief that Democrats fail to grasp “Vance’s appeal,” a point he reiterated during his live stream.

“I’m pretty bullish on JD Vance,” Cillizza said. “I think Democrats underestimate JD Vance at their own peril, which I think they’re doing.”

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten said recently that Vance appeared to be in a strong position to secure the Republican presidential nomination in 2028.

Enten cited Vance’s large advantage in early polling and the historical success rate of sitting vice presidents when seeking their party’s nomination.

“Look, this is early polling, but look, for the GOP nomination, it’s JD Vance at 40 percent,” Enten said. “There’s no one even close to him.”

“Keep in mind that early favorites have actually gone on to win the nomination 63 percent of the time, those who have run since 1980,” Enten added.Grassroots conservatives expressed strong early support for JD Vance as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, according to a straw poll conducted at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest.

Vance received 84.2% support among respondents, far outpacing other potential Republican contenders.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio placed second with 4.8%, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 2.9% and Donald Trump Jr. at 1.8%, according to the poll results.

“JD Vance won the 2028 nomination straw poll by more than Donald Trump won the 2024 one we did two years ago,” Blake Neff, producer of the “Charlie Kirk Show,” said on X. Two years ago, President Trump clinched 82.6% support, followed by DeSantis at 7.6%.

Vance was the final featured speaker at the AmericaFest gathering in Phoenix. Ahead of his remarks, Turning Point USA Chief Executive Officer Erika Kirk offered remarks that attendees interpreted as an endorsement of Vance for the presidency in 2028.

The country’s No. 2 elected official has led early polling among potential Republican contenders for the 2028 presidential election. He has publicly stated, however, that he is not currently focused on a future presidential bid.

“We’re going to win the midterms. We’re going to do everything that we can to win the midterms,” Vance told Fox News’ “Hannity” when asked about his 2028 plans earlier this month. “And then after that, I’m going to sit down with the president of the United States and talk to him about it.”

Nevertheless, that doesn’t prevent him from occasionally targeting potential Democratic rivals for 2028.

“Democrats are already talking about 2028 and it looks like they’re going to nominate a California liberal who’s presided over rolling blackouts, open borders and unchecked violent gangs,” Vance said during his AmericaFest speech Sunday. “They’re just trying to settle on whether it’s going to be Gavin Newsom or Kamala Harris.”

Trump has not endorsed a potential successor, with the next presidential election still three years away. The president continues to maintain strong support among grassroots conservative activists, according to the straw poll results.

Nearly two months after a widely shared embrace between the two, Erika — who has assumed leadership of the organization following her husband’s assassination — appeared on stage at the Phoenix Convention Center last month to formally back Vance’s anticipated White House bid.

“We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible,” she told thousands of activists, per video of her speech that was posted online.

The announcement was met with loud applause.

If he does run, Turning Point USA could offer a significant boost.

The nonprofit has become a major force in conservative youth organizing and MAGA politics, building substantial influence within the Republican grassroots through its nationwide campus network, expansive digital reach, and ability to mobilize activists on behalf of candidates.

OMG Trump’s Quiet Moment in Washington: A Pause That Spoke Volumes hot

Trump’s Quiet Moment in Washington: A Pause That Spoke Volumes

On March 9, 2026, Donald Trump stood quietly in Washington, D.C., in a moment that drew attention for its rare stillness. No cheering crowds. No flashing cameras. For thirty minutes, the usual rush of politics seemed suspended. Observers described the pause as subtle yet powerful—a rare glimpse of reflection from a figure known for high-energy rallies and relentless public presence.

Many saw this moment as more than chance. It reflected a shift from shaping events to facing their consequences. For years, Trump moved at full speed—through campaigns, courtrooms, and headlines. That morning, the pace slowed. It was a reminder that while power is temporary, its effects endure.

A Break from Momentum

Trump’s career has been defined by action. Rallies, bold statements, and social media outbursts created a constant sense of motion. But in the nation’s capital, he simply stood—no speech, no defense, no attack. Analysts noted the change immediately: the usual certainty softened. His expression carried weight. This was not defeat; it was recognition. Decisions made during his presidency—legal cases, policy shifts, public memory—exist independently now. They move forward without him.

Political observers often note that quiet moments reveal more than loud ones. Alone with consequence, a leader’s character emerges. Supporters interpreted resolve. Critics saw vulnerability. Both read meaning into the silence.

The Weight of a Presidency

Trump’s time in office left lasting marks. Tax reforms, trade policies, Supreme Court appointments, and foreign policy decisions continue to resonate. Some strengthened institutions, others tested them. Now, all face judgment—by courts, the media, and history

The stillness highlighted a simple truth: leadership leaves enduring consequences. Laws remain, court rulings guide future cases, and public trust rises or falls based on memory. Trump, accustomed to scrutiny, faced a rare pause in his momentum. Years of investigations, impeachments, and media coverage punctuated his tenure, but this quiet moment felt different—it revealed the weight of choices made.

Leadership Beyond the Spotlight

Most former presidents retreat from daily battles, writing books, delivering speeches, or pursuing personal projects. Trump remained active—running, winning, and governing again. That morning broke the pattern.

Observers were reminded of a universal lesson: power is temporary, but legacy is permanent. Every decision carries forward. Some decisions strengthen institutions; others create challenges. Leaders like George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton navigated similar transitions, understanding that history rarely forgives shortcuts. Trump now stands at the same threshold. His quietness was not surrender—it was awareness.

Washington Reacts

The capital rarely stops. Motorcades move, reporters shout, staffers hurry. That morning felt different. The absence of noise made the moment heavier. People nearby noticed the shift. Some whispered. Others simply watched. Phones stayed in pockets. Later, online reactions reflected the split perception: supporters called it dignity under pressure; critics saw reflection on past choices. Both recognized that something real had occurred.

The Broader Meaning

Quiet moments rarely make headlines, yet they shape historical memory. Scholars study pauses as much as speeches, searching for unscripted truth.

For Trump, this moment may define him more than any rally. It revealed a man who shaped an era and now confronts its full weight. The era did not end with fanfare—it settled quietly. And in that quiet, meaning took root.

Americans will continue debating his legacy. Some will celebrate bold moves; others will highlight division. The conversation will outlast us all.

Trump’s Granddaughter Accidentally Reveals How Long He’s Had Hand Issues

Clues about Donald Trump’s health were in his granddaughter’s YouTube vlogs all along.

Kai Trump, 18, unintentionally revealed through an Instagram post on Wednesday that Trump has been nursing a bruised hand since November, before he even returned to the White House.

“One year ago, I started my YouTube channel not knowing what to expect… and it’s turned into something so special,” the president’s eldest granddaughter wrote in a post commemorating the anniversary of her YouTube journey.

The 16-slide carousel included a photo of her and Trump that she first posted on election night last year.

Kai’s election night vlog showed that the photo was taken in Mar-a-Lago, where Trump held a watch party as results trickled in.

But a key detail that slipped through the cracks last year was the makeup slathered on top of Trump’s right hand as he posed for a photo next to his granddaughter.

Trump first addressed the bruising on his hand in a December 2024 interview with TIME magazine, when he explained simply that “it’s from shaking hands with thousands of people.”

The mismatched makeup has since become a fixture in Trump’s myriad public appearances, generating wild speculations about the state of his health at his advanced age of 79.

The White House began parroting Trump’s explanation for the bruising in February, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling NBC News at the time that the president “has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.”

In July, the White House published a memo from Trump’s physician Sean Barbabella indicating that the bruising was “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”“This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy,” Barbabella wrote.

The same memo revealed that Trump’s swollen ankles—another part of his body that has raised health concerns—were caused by chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition where veins struggle to push blood back to the heart.

The White House claims Donald Trump's bruises are the result of rigorous handshaking by the president. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Psychologists and political foes alike have also floated the possibility that Trump has dementia, following multiple mental flubs, including forgetting his own inauguration year and the name of the Homeland Security secretary he appointed.“We have to see a major deterioration in functioning in language and thinking and psychomotor performance and impulse control and a whole variety of areas... There are times when he’s really unable to complete a thought. Sometimes he’s unable to complete a word,” Dr. John Gartner told the Daily Beast Podcast.

The president's swollen ankles have made multiple appearances. / Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Despite the hand bruises, cankles, and multiple mental flubs, however, the White House has repeatedly insisted that all is well with Trump.

“President Donald J. Trump remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance,” Barbabella said in an October medical report.

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday.

Kai Trump sets record straight on her love life in telling new video

Kai Trump, the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump, is an avid golfer and budding YouTube star

Kai Trump shared insight into her love life in a Q&A session posted to YouTube, and revealed how she really felt about dating. The 18-year-old answered a slew of fan questions in the video, including one that asked: "Are you single?"

"I'm kind of talking to a guy right now, we might go to prom together," she responded. "So yeah, I'm like yes…no…kind of…figuring it out."

Kai, the eldest grandchild of Donald Trump, and the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, is currently in her senior year at school and is set to begin studying at the University of Miami in the fall of 2026.

Kai shared that she had a date to her prom

The social media personality opened up in an interview on the Impaulsive podcast about the difficulties of dating while having her own Secret Service team on hand at all times.

"To be honest with you, it's really awkward when you're sitting and going on a date with a guy, and [the Secret Service are] like two tables behind you. It's a little weird," she admitted.

"But I try my best not to let it bother me, and I think I've learned especially over the past year now…I've had to learn to [think] yes, they're following me, but also focus and pretend like they're not there."

U.S. President Donald Trump's granddaughter Kai Trump departs the White House on September 26, 2025 in Washington, DC

She admitted that having a security detail was an adjustment

Although Kai's life changed when her grandfather became president for the second time in 2025, she shared that her parents have tried to keep their children as grounded as possible.

Learn more about Kai's golfing passion below...

"My mom let us have our own opinions, and she's very much like me, like she's very calm, she's very chill, she likes hearing people out," she said on the podcast. "Obviously my dad, I love him, but he just goes to war online."

"My parents have always had us [have] our own opinions," she added. "Nothing was ever pushed upon us. I just happen to be a granddaughter of the president." When she's not creating YouTube videos, Kai is an avid golfer and is set to join the golfing team at the University of Miami.

Kai Trump could be her mother Vanessa's twin in rare photos

Kai is the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump

"I am super excited to be a Cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!" she shared on Instagram in 2024. "I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point. I would like to thank my Grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support."

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 27: Kai Trump plays a shot before the TGL presented by SoFi match between the Jupiter Links Golf Club and Boston Common Golf at SoFi Center on January 27, 2025 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL via Getty Images)

She is an avid golfer

Kai's golfing dream hit a speed bump in January when she was forced to undergo surgery on her wrist due to a sporting injury. "Today, I underwent left wrist surgery to address injuries to the stabilizing tissues of my ECU tendon and damage to my fibrocartilage complex," she wrote on social media.

"The surgery was successfully performed at the Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute by Dr Thomas Graham, Chief of Jefferson Orthopedics. I look forward to my rehab in the coming months. I am excited for the ability to play golf pain-free."

Donald Trump emerges from the White House after controversial Easter message

The US president made a stop to the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia

Donald Trump emerged from the White House on Sunday after he shared a highly controversial Easter message on his social platform, Truth Social.

The US president was photographed leaving Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, after making a brief stop on Easter Sunday.

Dressed in a white tee and matching cap, Trump appeared composed as he exited the private club, waving to onlookers before heading back toward The White House.

US President Donald Trump leaves Trump National Golf Club on Eater Sunday

US President Donald Trump leaves Trump National Golf Club on Easter Sunday

The appearance came just hours after a post that quickly ignited backlash and debate online. In the message, Trump referenced escalating tensions involving Iran, writing: "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran." He followed with a stark warning: "There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fin’ Strait, you crazy b**ds, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP."

The tone and language of the post, particularly its timing on Easter Sunday, drew swift reactions from both supporters and critics with some saying it was 'unhinged'. Chuck Schumer, a senior Senate Democrat, said: "The president of the United States is ranting like an unhinged madman on social media … He’s threatening possible war crimes and alienating allies. This is who he is, but this is not who we are. Our country deserves so much better."

Majorie Taylor Greene a former Trump ally even said they needed to intervene from his madness. "Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump’s madness,” she continued. “I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit," she said.

Both supporters and critics of Donald Trump say his post was 'unhinged'

Many questioned the appropriateness of the message on a religious holiday typically associated with peace and reflection, while others focused on the geopolitical implications of the remarks.

His appearance comes after rumors began circulating on Saturday, April 4 2026 with social media users claiming the 79-year-old president was receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The claims quickly gained traction, fuelled by unverified reports of road closures and possible flight restrictions in the area.

Donald Trump departing Walter Reed Medical Center in 2025

In response, a White House spokesperson moved to shut down the speculation, directing media outlets to a statement shared on X by communications director Steven Cheung.

"There has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump," Steven wrote. "On this Easter weekend, he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office. God Bless him."

The administration also addressed the rumors more directly via its Rapid Response 47 account, pushing back on the narrative and criticising those spreading the claims.

Donald's friendship with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein spanned several decades

"Deranged liberals cook up insane conspiracy theories when @POTUS goes 12 hours without speaking to press," the post read, adding: "Fear not! President Trump literally never stops working."

Further adding to the clarification, CBS News White House correspondent Emma Nicholson shared an update from outside the West Wing, noting that a Marine sentry was stationed at the entrance – a traditional signal that the president is inside and working.ed