Political Tribune

GOP, JD Vance, Opinion, Politics

Desperate Pivot: JD Vance Bets On The “Manosphere” As His Approval Ratings Crater

Trying too hard for MAGA

574
574 points

JD Vance seems to be reworking his public image.

On Monday, the vice president posted a photo spread on X showing himself running drills with Navy SEALs at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in California.

The images were carefully curated: Vance sprinting down the beach, hauling a heavy log, climbing a cargo net, rowing alongside elite service members, and standing stiffly in front of a massive American flag.

The point was obvious from the photos.

Vance even leaned into the aesthetic, joking that the SEALs “took it easy” on him during the 90-minute session and that he still felt like he had been “hit by a freight train.” He praised the military’s “highest standards anywhere in the world,” while reminding followers of his own four-year Marine Corps stint in public affairs.

But many weren’t impressed. Some of the pushback carried a tone of disbelief rather than outrage. The country is deep into an election cycle, inflation remains a top concern, and voters are paying close attention to priorities. But many weren’t impressed.

Vance himself seemed to sense the mockery. He reposted one of the images after editing his face into an exaggerated, meme-like version and wrote simply, “Fixed it.”

Recent polling tells a clearer story about where J.D. Vance stands right now.

A new AtlasIntel survey still puts him ahead of other possible Republican contenders for 2028. But the support underneath him is thinning. Fewer than half of Republican voters say they would choose him, a noticeable drop from earlier polls when his numbers were stronger.

That drop matters.

For a long time, Vance has been seen as the natural heir to Trump-era politics. He is sharp on television, aggressive in debate, and deeply comfortable in culture-war fights. That mix once looked like enough to carry him forward.

But the movement has shifted.

Today’s Republican base rewards visuals more than words. It favors big moments over policy details. Strength is judged less by argument and more by appearance. In that environment, being the smartest voice in the room does not always translate into staying power.

At the same time, the base itself is split.

A straw poll at Turning Point USA’s Amerifest showed strong enthusiasm for Vance. Yet events like that tend to reflect the most energized and loyal corner of the movement, not the full Republican electorate.

Featured image via X screengrab 

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Terry Lawson

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Terry is an editor and political writer based in Alabama. Over the last five years, he’s worked behind the scenes as a ghostwriter for a range of companies, helping shape voices and tell stories that connect. Now at Political Tribune, he writes sharp political pieces and edits with a close eye on clarity and tone. Terry’s work is driven by strong storytelling, attention to detail, and a clear sense of purpose. He’s skilled in writing, editing, and project management — and always focused on getting the message right. You can find him on X at https://x.com/TerryNotTrump.

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