Thanksgiving Turmoil: New Reports Reveal Trump Is Mocking JD Vance as MAGA Infighting Escalates

On a holiday meant for gratitude, one political commentator summed up his Thanksgiving thanks bluntly: “I’m thankful I’m not JD Vance.” That sentiment captured a growing narrative around the vice president—one marked by ridicule, internal distrust, and increasingly public fractures inside MAGA.

For months, Vice President JD Vance has attempted to position himself as Donald Trump’s heir-apparent for the 2028 Republican nomination. But according to new reporting, Trump has privately mocked Vance’s ambitions and openly undermined his political future. Behind the scenes, advisers say the former president shows little respect for Vance, joking about a third term not to provoke legal debate—but to humiliate the man who desperately wants to succeed him.

The tension has been strengthened by a swirl of side controversies—from Vance’s awkward public comments to a now-viral hug between him and Erica Kirk that sparked a storm of speculation.

The Hug Heard Round the Internet

The conversation intensified after a video spread of Erica Kirk—widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk—embracing Vance onstage. Kirk placed her hand on the back of his head, prompting an immediate onslaught of online theorizing.

Kirk responded directly:

“I’m an intense hugger,” she said. “If someone is mad about that, they probably need a hug more than anyone.”

But critics aren’t buying it. Some commentators argue the interaction felt oddly intimate, especially given Vance’s deep political ambitions. Others dismiss the reaction as overblown.

Regardless, the clip fed a narrative that Vance is unusually entangled in emotionally charged, public-facing moments that he is ill-equipped to manage.

A Vice President in Search of Approval

The political criticism runs deeper than a hug. Vance is frequently mocked—even by conservatives—for his inconsistent identity, shifting ideology, and obvious attempts to mirror Trump’s mannerisms and messaging.

Behind closed doors, according to multiple reports, Trump views Vance as needy, sycophantic, and desperate for approval. One adviser laughed privately that Vance “wants Trump to love him more than Trump loves himself,” an impossible standard.

And now, Trump is turning that vulnerability into leverage.

Trump’s Third-Term Talk: A Political Weapon

A new report from journalist Jonathan Karl suggests that Trump and strategist Steve Bannon are floating the idea of Trump running again in 2028—not because they believe it’s legal, but because it freezes out Republican hopefuls like Vance.

The messaging is deliberate:

Trump hints he might run again.

MAGA loyalists cheer.

Potential successors remain sidelined.

JD Vance—whose entire political future hinges on Trump’s blessing—has nothing to do except wait.

Karl told Morning Joe that Trump “cannot accept being a lame duck,” and enjoys watching would-be successors compete for a future he refuses to relinquish.

Meanwhile, Bannon has publicly toyed with constitutional loopholes to keep Trump politically relevant in 2028—ideas legal scholars dismiss as fantasy.

The Public Embarrassments Pile Up

The holiday brought fresh cringe for Vance when an old clip resurfaced of him rambling bizarrely about turkey at a campaign event, questioning whether anyone “actually” likes eating it.

“What is he even talking about?” critics asked online.

His attempt at humor landed flat, and social media quickly compared Vance to other MAGA figures infamous for culinary disasters—such as Stephen Miller’s deeply unappetizing Thanksgiving turkey photo posted earlier in the day.

The ridicule underscored a recurring theme: Vance struggles to appear relatable, charming, or authentically human.

A MAGA Movement in Retreat

The broader context paints an even grimmer picture for the MAGA coalition. A new poll from Tennessee’s 7th District shows Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn within striking distance in a district Trump carried by 22 points.

Panicked Republicans sent Vance to campaign there—but Behn’s message about affordability, healthcare, and working-class economic pressure resonated far more strongly than expected.

Republicans have not only lost their dominant grip; they are losing it in places once considered untouchable.

The Trump–Vance Relationship: Crumbling in Plain Sight

Trump recently handed out “Trump 2028” hats—directly in front of Vance. When asked whether Vance was okay with it, Trump reportedly smirked.

The message couldn’t be clearer.

Trump would rather entertain the idea of violating the Constitution than endorse JD Vance as his successor.

And Vance, whose political persona increasingly resembles a man-shaped void filled with raw ambition, is forced to smile through the humiliation.

A Thanksgiving Collapse for MAGA

As the commentator put it:

“If Democrats are competitive in a district Trump won by 22 points, that tells you everything about the state of MAGA right now.”

On a day usually reserved for gratitude, the cracks in Trump’s movement were on full display—ambition clashing with ego, sycophancy colliding with contempt, and JD Vance left playing the role of Trump’s most loyal but least respected ally.