# Hypothetical: what does President Vance do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 19, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989 "2025-11-19T19:42:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/1 "2025-11-19T19:42:06Z")
Let’s pretend that Trump doesn’t finish his term due to health reasons, impeachment, or whatever fantasy you want to entertain. Vance is now the President. What do you think his agenda will be? Right now, he just echoes whatever Trump is arguing. But he has demonstrated he has no convictions of his own, so with Trump out of the way, does he continue the same path or strike out on his own? I’m guessing he pivots to whoever manages to catch his ear and sell him on an agenda that glorifies Vance. I can’t see Stephen Miller continuing to have the same influence. Does he go more mainstream, and now we’re all following Mike Johnson’s agenda? For the purposes of this thread, let’s accept the hypothetical and not argue how likely this is. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/2 "2025-11-19T19:48:02Z")
Works with Peter Thiel to usher in a Tech Oligarchy, a libertarian paradise where billionaires can more easily become trillionaires and they are the ones running the show with no checks or balances. He is Thiel’s idiot puppet who does whatever the hand up his ass wants. Trump was a pathway to getting Vance in place. Vance was the goal of the billionaire class. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/3 "2025-11-19T19:48:08Z")
He tries to wear the MAGA mantle and emulate Trump. And he fails miserably, just like Rubio, DeSantis, et al. Fortunately, whatever it is Trump has going for him, nobody else seems able to distill it. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/4 "2025-11-19T19:50:52Z")
This is a very likely outcome IMO. His number 1 priority will be convincing the MAGA faithful that he is Trump’s ordained successor, and they should switch their allegiance to him. So his every policy decision (and pubic utterance) will have that in mind, and to that end will probably revolve around being more Trump than Trump. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/5 "2025-11-19T19:52:06Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > Fortunately, whatever it is Trump has going for him, nobody else seems able to distill it Probably but then I also thought Trump stood very little chance of getting enough support to be president, so I’m not ruling it out ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/6 "2025-11-19T19:58:01Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Vance is now the President. What do you think his agenda will be? I don’t think we have enough data. Does he believe in everything Trump says? Is he just a puppet, who can be manipulated by advisors? Or perhaps a wily schemer who has his own long term plan? We just don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/7 "2025-11-19T19:59:56Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Works with Peter Thiel to usher in a Tech Oligarchy I should have immediately thought of Thiel as the most likely puppeteer, given that he already serves that role. This would be my guess as well. I don’t see him attempting to become Trump-lite. As noted, no one else can exactly capture that…whatever it is. Plus, Trump’s shine is starting to erode a bit. Keep just enough of the Trumpish things to continue to convince the underclass that someone else is the enemy while going all-in on business-friendly policies. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/8 "2025-11-19T20:05:28Z")
> what does President Vance do? 1. 1. Kick orphans down the stairs. 2. Kick puppies. 3. Generally kick things. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/9 "2025-11-19T20:09:11Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > I don’t think we have enough data. > > Does he believe in everything Trump says? > Is he just a puppet, who can be manipulated by advisors? > Or perhaps a wily schemer who has his own long term plan? > > We just don’t know. But we do. The dozens of articles about Peter Thiel, who is Vance’s mentor and the man responsible for every success Vance has ever had. Vance thinks Thiel is absolutely brilliant and would follow him off a cliff into the bowels of hell. Peter Thiel is anti-democracy, pro-tech-oligarchy in the majorist of ways, wanting to set up a new form of government in which the wealthiest of the wealthy tech bros run things. This is what Vance wants because this is what his hero and lord Peter Thiel demands. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/10 "2025-11-19T20:09:38Z")
I think once Trump is out of the picture, be it because he’s dead, impeached, term limited or any other way, we’ll see a race to the bottom in the republican party to inherit Trump’s rabid supporters, the “More MAGAT than you” Olympics will be surely a disturbing thing to watch. Other than that, as mentioned above, we can expect Vance to follow the dictates of Thiel and other billionaires in their quest to Make the World Safe(r) for the Disgustingly Rich. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/11 "2025-11-19T20:19:29Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > - Kick orphans down the stairs. > - Kick puppies. > - Generally kick things. Surely the Republican way is to shoot puppies? [Why Did Kristi Noem Kill Her Own Dog? Everything to Know | TIME](https://time.com/6971773/kristi-noem-memoir-dog-kill-children-net-worth/) ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/12 "2025-11-19T20:19:49Z")
I think Vance will install the fascist regime which Trump would like to do but is too incompetent to bring off. Vance is not senile, not stupid, pretty much knows how things work. If Vance becomes president, don’t expect an election in 2028. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/13 "2025-11-19T20:59:25Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > What do you think his agenda will be? Win his own term in 2028. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/14 "2025-11-19T21:03:46Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > The dozens of articles about Peter Thiel, who is Vance’s mentor and the man responsible for every success Vance has ever had. Vance thinks Thiel is absolutely brilliant and would follow him off a cliff into the bowels of hell. Peter Thiel is anti-democracy, pro-tech-oligarchy in the majorist of ways, wanting to set up a new form of government in which the wealthiest of the wealthy tech bros run things. This is what Vance wants because this is what his hero and lord Peter Thiel demands. Anyone that is not aware of this needs to wake the fuck up. Theil’s (et al, Theil has friends and useful idiots) plan is the worst parts of “company towns” and feudalism combined. Ruled by them with hopes of joining the Singularity and living in robot bodies eternally. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/15 "2025-11-19T21:11:00Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Let’s pretend that Trump doesn’t finish his term due to health reasons, impeachment, or whatever fantasy you want to entertain. Vance is now the President. What do you think his agenda will be? > > Right now, he just echoes whatever Trump is arguing. But he has demonstrated he has no convictions of his own He does have convictions of his own, as demonstrated when he was railing against trump. But he hides them very well, now that he is Veep. In 2016, 2017 Vance said things like- Calling Trump “unfit for our nation’s highest office” in an op-ed, "I can’t stomach Trump”, calling trump “reprehensible” and so forth. My guess- less see-saw tariffs. No more Vengeance against those that prosecuted trump. Anti- immigrant _talk_ will continue, but less ICE raids. pro-Tech. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/16 "2025-11-19T21:11:50Z")
Vance would be even worse than Trump. Trump may be evil, but he is foolish and easily swayed by whomever speaks to him last. Vance is smart, evil, and knows what he wants. He won’t be as easily budged away from an evil agenda. The one saving grace is that Vance, as mentioned, has much less sway or popularity with the MAGA masses than Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/17 "2025-11-19T21:17:31Z")
I think he may try to “Hillbilly Elegy” the entire country. What that would look like, I have no clue. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/18 "2025-11-20T00:29:31Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The one saving grace is that Vance, as mentioned, has much less sway or popularity with the MAGA masses than Trump. I think that they like power. Once he’s large and in charge, many will like Vance better. I also think the situation Vance finds himself in will determine what he does more than his personality. Suppose that Vance becomes President because of Trump being impeached and removed for defying a Supreme Court decision on tariffs or citizenship. This would be a best case scenario where Vance likely accepts the rule of law and pivots to the center.. But suppose Trump died after successfully jailing dozens of high-profile political opponents. Then Vance would be empowered to move forward with the martyred president’s project. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/19 "2025-11-20T02:25:32Z")
He’ll immediately eliminate tariffs on imported eyeliner. More seriously, he will not be the heir of the MAGA cult. He’s one of those people that people just naturally dislike. The MAGA lot would crawl over hot coals and barbed wire in the nude for DJT, I don’t think they’d piss on JDV if he was on fire. I think a plausible scenario is that Democrats win the House and Senate in 2026, DJT will say fuck it I can’t get Congress to do my bidding so he quits in early 2027 leaving Vance as a crippled lame duck and having to fight DT Jr. for the nomination. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989/20 "2025-11-20T02:33:30Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > he will not be the heir of the MAGA cult Probably but that won’t stop him trying. His attempts the be the heir of the Maga cult will entirely shape his policies. He will try and be more Trump than Trump to achieve that aim [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-does-president-vance-do/1024989.md?page=2)