Vice-President JD Vance has adopted a sauerkraut-based diet under health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, losing 20 pounds in 20 days, according to Kennedy. The weight loss reportedly earned praise from President Donald Trump, who is said to be pleased with Vance's new figure.
Vance's Diet and Trump's Approval
Kennedy announced the results at a Michigan event last month: "Within 20 days I lost 20 pounds. JD Vance is also on the diet and you can see how different he looks." Sources told MS Now that Trump's approval of Vance's appearance has helped restore the vice-president's standing with the president.
Internal Republican Attacks
Despite Trump's favor, Vance faces mounting grievances from both his protective detail and fellow Republicans. A member of his security team is under investigation after revealing to media that Vance requested helicopter transport for his son to a golf lesson and last-minute chopper trips to Virginia for house-hunting. The Washington Post reported that Vance has encountered a barrage of attacks within his party "unlike that faced by other vice-presidents in decades," largely driven by his mild criticism of Israel and the Iran war. Vance's allies describe it as a coordinated effort to harm his 2028 presidential chances.
On Fox News, contributor Marc Thiessen criticized Vance for questioning the deployment of US troops in Iran during a Joe Rogan podcast appearance. "[Vance] seems to be going off base a lot, and contradicting the president a lot in public lately, and it's not helpful," Thiessen said.
Boost for Rubio
The infighting may benefit Senator Marco Rubio, who is narrowing the gap with Vance in early 2028 Republican primary polls. Observers note that setbacks for one unpopular politician often pave the way for another perceived as worse.
