Ex-MSNBC Host Floats Wild Theory for JD Vance to Secure MAGA Support in 2028

Former MSNBC host Joy Reid outlined a “MAGA fairytale” this week, a dramatic scenario she believes Vice President JD Vance must follow to win over the most loyal supporters of former President Donald Trump before a possible 2028 presidential run.

Reid said on the “I’ve Had It” show that Vance would struggle to follow Trump after the 2026 midterms. She said that racial animosity drives MAGA and that the Tea Party has comparable objectives. Reid says this dynamic makes Vance’s family a political issue, especially with voters.

Reid said that the far-right Republican Party may be concerned about Vance’s marriage to Usha, an Indian. She said Vance downplayed his relationship to appeal to that base. She said a MAGA successor “can’t be the guy with the brown Hindu wife,” drawing internet criticism.

Reid also discussed a viral moment between Vance and Erika Kirk, the widow of the late conservative activist and Turning Point USA CEO. Kirk’s emotional hug with Vance at a Turning Point event sparked social media conjecture. Reid called the embrace extremely intimate, and co-host Jennifer Welch noted how close the duo appeared in the viral clip.

Megyn Kelly presented a live program where Kirk addressed the topic. She said the hug was misinterpreted and that she communicates through touch. The incident followed an emotional memorial video to her late husband, she said. Kirk claimed she responded naturally to Vance’s consoling comments. Kelly humorously said critics made the exchange seem more outrageous than it was, drawing amusement from the audience.

Kirk also said Turning Point USA is planning to back Vance in 2028. Vance has not formally declared any plans, but he recently stated that he has considered what a presidential campaign “might look like” after the next election cycle. He says his present focus is on executing his job.

Reid listed numerous more potential Republican primary candidates. Her list includes Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, and Nick Fuentes, demonstrating how unpredictable and open the GOP landscape could be post-Trump.

Vance is facing growing speculation from fans who see him as a potential leader and opponents who question whether he can connect with the MAGA base like Trump did. With early conversations, the next few years will determine the political scene through 2028.