Gen Z Trump Voters Show Little Support for JD Vance in 2028 GOP Field/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Focus group reveals skepticism toward Vice President JD Vance, with young Republicans craving a new generation of leadership. Gen Z Trump voters shows minimal support for JD Vance’s potential 2028 presidential bid. Participants cited concerns over his ties to the political establishment and inconsistent stances. Many prefer fresh GOP faces like DeSantis, Rubio, and Ramaswamy, reflecting a generational shift in priorities.
Key Takeaways:
- Focus group of Gen Z Trump voters expresses weak enthusiasm for JD Vance’s 2028 presidential potential.
- Only one out of nine participants backed Vance — and even he was hesitant.
- Voters cited Vance’s political flip-flopping, establishment ties, and Trump-era baggage.
- Participants suggested alternatives including Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tom Cotton, and James Fishback.
- The group also voiced dissatisfaction with U.S. foreign policy — including support for Israel and Trump’s Greenland proposal.
Gen Z Conservatives to Vance: “We Want Someone New”
Deep Look
Vice President JD Vance may be a leading figure in Donald Trump’s White House and a rising name in the GOP — but among younger Republican voters, his 2028 presidential prospects may already be slipping.
In a recent focus group of nine 18- to 24-year-old Trump supporters, organized by Longwell Partners and shared with POLITICO, the group expressed limited enthusiasm for Vance and indicated a clear appetite for a generational shift in Republican leadership.
“I feel like it’s just time for someone new,” said Alexandre M., a voter from Maryland, “especially for the Republican Party.”
The Maryland voter also criticized Vance’s alignment with controversial Trump-era decisions, including the administration’s handling of the Epstein files.
Vance Viewed as a Political Insider
Several voters in the focus group described Vance as too tied to the political establishment, particularly after serving as Trump’s Vice President during his second term.
“I don’t think Vance can win,” said Sam Z., a Minnesota voter.
“He’s too connected to the current political establishment in Washington, which has a very negative approval rating right now.”
Sam added that Vance’s political evolution — from a Trump critic to loyalist — hurt his credibility:
“If you look at what he was about in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and compare it to now, it’s very, very different.”
The consensus: Vance represents the past, not the future, even if he’s still young by political standards.
Other 2028 GOP Names Getting Buzz
When asked who they would like to see as the GOP nominee in 2028, the focus group pointed to several alternatives:
- Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL)
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
- Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy
- Florida candidate James Fishback
While none were unanimous choices, participants showed more excitement for fresh faces and bold conservative voices than for the sitting Vice President.
Only One Said “Maybe” to Vance
Only one participant, Ruben T. from Georgia, initially raised his hand when asked if he supported Vance for the GOP nomination.
“I think because he already is VP, he has more experience than most people will, which puts him at an advantage.”
However, Ruben quickly added he was still undecided, reflecting the broader uncertainty surrounding Vance’s appeal.
Young Republicans Question U.S. Support for Israel
In another sign that Gen Z conservatives are diverging from traditional GOP lines, the group revealed ambivalence toward U.S. support for Israel.
When asked if the U.S. backs Israel too much, too little, or the right amount, their answers broke down as follows:
- 5 said “too much”
- 4 said “just right”
- 0 said “too little”
Some referenced conspiracy theories, like Candace Owens’ claims about Charlie Kirk’s death, as reasons they began questioning the relationship with Israel.
“I don’t know how factual some of this stuff is,” said Richard B. of Pennsylvania,
“but I’ve started to notice that Israel has always been a big talking point for Republicans.”
Others approached the issue from a humanitarian or America First perspective.
“I just don’t believe death is justifiable in any way,” said Matteo R. of Illinois.
“And of course, Israel is responsible for many deaths.”
America First — Literally: No Interest in Buying Greenland
The group also pushed back against Trump’s revived proposal to purchase Greenland, a foreign policy idea that made headlines again in recent weeks.
When asked, none of the nine participants supported the idea.
“No other president has ever said that,” said Mukeesh S. from California.
“It’s part of Denmark. We should just respect that and focus on what’s actually happening in the U.S.”
Dillon from Rhode Island agreed, adding:
“It’s not what our resources could best be used on right now. It just seems unnecessary.”
Final Thoughts: A Generation Ready for Change
This small, qualitative sample may not reflect the full breadth of Gen Z Trump voters — but it sends a clear signal: JD Vance faces real skepticism from young conservatives.
They want a leader who:
- Isn’t tied to the D.C. political machine
- Hasn’t flip-flopped on core issues
- Focuses on domestic policy first
- Aligns with newer, more populist or libertarian strains of conservatism
And while Donald Trump may still hold sway in 2026, the future of the GOP post-Trump is anything but certain.
As one voter put it bluntly:
“We need someone who’s not just carrying Trump’s baggage. We need someone who’s ready to lead with a new vision.”
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