Ted Cruz stakes neoconservative claim in GOP's 2028 battle against JD Vance

A high-stakes GOP feud brews as Cruz doubles down on hawkish policies—while quietly targeting Vance's ties to Carlson. Who will donors back in 2028?

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2026 March 10 . 4:02 PM

1 min read

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Ted Cruz stakes neoconservative claim in GOP's 2028 battle against JD Vance

Senator Ted Cruz is positioning himself as a leading neoconservative voice in the Republican Party ahead of the 2028 presidential race. His stance contrasts sharply with Vice President JD Vance, whom he has repeatedly criticized for ties to Tucker Carlson's anti-interventionist views. Cruz is framing himself as the Old Guard's candidate, pushing for a more aggressive US foreign policy.

Cruz has openly backed regime change in Iran and remains a strong ally of Israel. He has accused Carlson of promoting antisemitism and an anti-Israel foreign policy, warnings he has also shared in private meetings with donors. His criticism extends to Vance, whom he links to Carlson's isolationist approach.

The Texas senator has praised the Trump administration's foreign policy, including efforts to remove Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and designating Nigeria as a 'Country of Particular Concern'. Axios describes Cruz as 'staking out turf as a traditional, pro-interventionist Republican', a label he appears to embrace.

With younger Republicans increasingly skeptical of Israel, Cruz has vowed to counter antisemitism within the party. He shows no signs of easing his attacks on Vance, both publicly and behind closed doors. Yet, no reports currently identify specific donor groups or political factions Cruz is actively courting to bolster his 2028 ambitions.

Cruz's strategy centers on reinforcing his neoconservative credentials while distancing himself from Vance's non-interventionist stance. His focus on Israel, regime change, and Trump-era policies sets a clear direction for his potential presidential run. The coming months will likely see continued clashes with Vance as Cruz solidifies his position in the party.