JD Vance draws backlash over Milwaukee speech poster and Iran war stance

JD Vance’s appearance at a Milwaukee event was marred by a poster of Markita Barnes that became illegible due to stage lighting. After Vance referenced the photograph, the White House Rapid Response X account posted a clearer image and wrote, “Your dumb a** is shielding a criminal…”, prompting MeidasTouch to accuse the White House of calling Vance a “dumb ass.”

In a separate development, Vance’s allies argue that his early skepticism of a war with Iran and public doubts about Iran’s peace prospects could protect him politically if the conflict drags on. Trump insiders, however, dismissed the strategy as naïve, with one former official saying the memorandum of understanding is “likely a loser, and it’s his.”