[sympil]

What is most interesting is the presence of Vance and that he started the argument. Yesterday he was with Trump and the British PM and accused the UK of being against free speech. I don’t recall VPs being active in such meetings before now. It says a lot that Vance is taking such a prominent role in areas that VPs traditionally do not publicly venture in.

[jakeogh]

(context) Vice President JD Vance Delivers Remarks at the Munich Security Conference: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pCOsgfINdKg

[tootie]

Marco Rubio was there with an expression like his soul had left his body.

[belter]

'I don't really care what happens to Ukraine, one way or the other'

    - J. D. Vance - podcast interview 2022

[castlefreak]

Cheney comes to mind.

[duxup]

IMO the issue is that if they want to stage an argument, Trump on the campaign trail has often lost his train of thought. That would not look very "strong" so Vance is there to do the job.

[Jtsummers]

He needs to establish himself as a leader (this behavior doesn't help beyond maybe their base) if he wants to be president after Trump. It's also ingratiating behavior towards Trump which will help ensure he remains on his good side and part of the in-crowd.

[sympil]

I get the sense that Vance and Musk are the ones really in control.

[tailsdog]

I think it's actually Thiel who is in control and pulling the strings here. He essentially got Vance into his current position and is obviously still linked to Musk.

[philk10]

Steven Miller and Musk, not Vance

[manmal]

Isn’t Vance sponsored by Thiel and therefore here to stay?

[Jtsummers]

Maybe. Trump's temper can still get him sidelined. He needs to remain front and center to be a viable candidate in 2028. And nothing about Thiel or Musk suggest they'd throw money at him out of loyalty, they'd throw money at him if they thought he could win. Otherwise, they'd find another candidate.