Donald Trump and his inner circle are at the center of a growing controversy after private messages from a Signal group were leaked, casting serious doubts on his leadership and decision-making.
But could there be even greater challenges lurking on the horizon for the president?
Although Trump has only been back in the White House for less than 100 days, concerns about the stability of his administration are already starting to surface.
Veteran political analyst Adam Boulton suggests that Trump’s biggest threat might not come from the Democratic opposition, but from an unexpected source—his own vice president, JD Vance.
Boulton highlights that Trump’s unpredictable leadership style could ultimately erode his authority. Writing for The i, he warned, “If Trump becomes an unpredictable liability—such as damaging the economy with tariffs or provoking military conflict with an ally—Republicans, including members of his cabinet, might consider his comparatively clean and family-oriented VP a safer choice for maintaining their power.”
The Challenges Plaguing Trump’s Presidency
Since returning to office, Trump has signed several executive orders, some of which have raised concerns even among his most steadfast supporters.
His administration has adopted a confrontational stance on trade, imposing tariffs on key allies such as Canada and Mexico. On the foreign policy front, Trump has made bold and controversial moves, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico, suspending aid to Ukraine, and initiating the deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador. His increasingly aggressive approach toward Greenland has also stirred speculation, with some fearing that Trump may have intentions of asserting control over the island.
These unpredictable decisions, coupled with Trump’s history of personal and political controversies, have reportedly led to rising tension within his inner circle. As the pressure mounts, some members of the administration may view JD Vance as a more stable and reliable alternative.
JD Vance’s Complex Relationship with Trump
JD Vance, a former venture capitalist and author of Hillbilly Elegy, initially gained attention as a vocal critic of Trump, even going so far as to label him “America’s Hitler.”
However, over time, Vance’s position shifted, and he became one of Trump’s most vocal and unwavering supporters.
More recently, though, Vance’s loyalty has come under scrutiny. The release of private messages from the Signal group, which were shared with journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed Vance expressing subtle criticism of Trump. This raised eyebrows among political analysts and sparked questions about Vance’s true stance and the stability of his relationship with the president.
Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, inadvertently became part of the ongoing discussion, revealing that Vance had questioned whether the president fully grasped the contradictions in his stance. While Trump advocated for a unilateral U.S. strike against the Houthis to protect international shipping routes, he also demanded that European countries take on more responsibility for similar actions.
“I’m not sure the president realizes how contradictory this is to his current message about Europe,” Vance remarked in the chat, according to Goldberg’s report.
JD Vance’s Rising Influence
As Vice President, JD Vance holds one of the most powerful positions in the nation—and should the political climate shift, he could ascend to the presidency. For some conservatives, Vance represents a more grounded and pragmatic leadership option, should Trump falter. Yet, others question Vance’s ideological consistency, given his evolving views on Trump.
His shifting stance raises important questions about how Vance might approach governance if ever given the chance to lead.
A Nation on Edge
The conversation about Trump’s stability comes at a time of heightened concern about the future of democracy in the U.S. Political scientist Staffan Lindberg, from V-Dem, warned that “the USA now appears to be moving towards a shift away from democracy under President Trump. I believe the implications of this will be significant globally.”
Tara Setmayer, a former communications director for the Republican Party, echoed similar concerns, telling The Guardian, “We are nearing Defcon 1 for our democracy, yet many in the media and opposition leadership seem to be failing to convey this urgency to the American public. This normalization of the situation is the greatest threat we face right now.”
Trump’s actions have only intensified these fears. In a particularly disturbing incident, a French scientist was reportedly denied entry into the U.S. after border officials discovered messages on his phone that criticized the Trump administration.
The French minister of higher education and research condemned the action, explaining that the researcher was barred from entry “because his phone contained conversations with colleagues and friends where he shared his personal views on the Trump administration’s research policies.”
Could Trump Be Removed from Office?
If internal political tensions continue to escalate, there are several potential pathways to removing Trump from office. The most recognized method is impeachment, a process Trump has already endured twice during his first term.
Another option would involve the use of the 25th Amendment, which would allow Vice President Vance and a majority of the cabinet to declare Trump “unable to fulfill the powers and responsibilities of his office.”
Trump has the option to challenge any such decision, which would then trigger an intervention from Congress. To permanently remove him from office, however, a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate would be required.
Another potential outcome could be that political pressure forces Trump to resign, much like President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. Although this may seem unlikely, Trump’s unpredictable behavior and escalating tensions within his administration could push Republicans to consider other leadership options.
Would a Vance Presidency Look Any Different?
Even if JD Vance were to ascend to the presidency, there’s no guarantee that his leadership would significantly shift the nation’s course. Many political analysts argue that Vance has closely aligned himself with Trump, meaning his presidency could simply continue the current administration’s policies without much change.
Regardless of how events unfold in the coming months, one thing is clear: the Trump administration remains highly unpredictable, with internal conflicts a very real possibility. As the pressure on the administration builds, all eyes will be on JD Vance—whether as Trump’s loyal vice president or as a potential successor.