US Vice President JD Vance Drops Hint at 2028 Presidential Ambitions During Azerbaijan Visit
In a lighthearted yet revealing moment, US Vice President JD Vance seemingly alluded to his potential 2028 presidential campaign while addressing the media alongside Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on February 10, 2026. The 41-year-old Republican made a quip about his wife, Indian-origin attorney Usha Vance, "getting ideas" to serve as Vice President during his term, drawing a parallel to Aliyev's wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, who holds the position of First Vice-President in Azerbaijan.
Strategic Regional Trip Focuses on Peace and Collaboration
Vance arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday from Armenia, traveling with his wife and their three children as part of a regional tour aimed at formalizing a US-brokered peace process between the two neighboring nations. The visit follows US President Donald Trump's mediation in 2025, which led to an agreement where both countries committed to renouncing territorial claims and refraining from the use of force. This deal came after Azerbaijan seized the Karabakh region in 2023, ending three decades of rule by Armenian separatists.
During his press statement, Vance thanked President Aliyev for Azerbaijan's support in the "global war on terrorism," noting that many Americans might not be aware that "the Azerbaijanis were some of the last to leave Afghanistan." He announced America's collaboration to help protect Azerbaijan's territorial waters and ensure the peace agreement "sticks." Vance also commended Aliyev for being one of the few world leaders, alongside Trump, to maintain "good relations" with both Turkey and Israel.
Joke Sparks Laughter and Political Speculation
As he concluded his remarks, Vance shared his and Usha's excitement for an upcoming dinner, then pointed out that the President's wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, serves as the country's Vice-President. With a chuckle, he said, "And as I understand it, the Vice-President of Azerbaijan is also the President's wife, and hopefully that doesn't give the Second Lady any ideas." The comment elicited laughter from the crowd and has since fueled speculation about Vance's political aspirations.
This jest aligns with Vance's known presidential ambitions, which have been promoted in the US by figures including former President Trump and Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk. In 2017, President Aliyev created the position of Vice President in Azerbaijan and appointed his wife as the First Vice-President. While the US already has the Vice President role, currently held by Vance himself, his remark suggests a potential future where Usha Vance could enter politics alongside him.
Broader Context of the Visit and Endorsements
President Aliyev initiated the event by welcoming Vance to Azerbaijan and expressing gratitude for the Trump administration's "positive attitude" toward the country. He highlighted that Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on transit cargo to Armenia and begun supplying oil products to its Caucasus neighbor. Aliyev described Vance's visit as "historical," emphasizing the signing of a Strategic Charter and substantive negotiations.
Prior to his stop in Azerbaijan, Vance met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan and visited the Armenian Genocide memorial with Usha, where the couple laid a wreath. However, a social media post about this visit was later deleted from Vance's account due to online controversy.
Regarding the 2028 election, Trump has endorsed Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as "very capable" candidates for the presidential ticket in a recent NBC News interview. Additionally, Erika Kirk promoted Vance's candidacy at an event in December 2025, stating, "We are going to get my husband's friend JD Vance elected for '48 in the most resounding way possible."
This combination of diplomatic engagement, personal humor, and political endorsements underscores Vance's positioning as a key figure in US politics, with his Azerbaijan visit serving as a platform to subtly signal his future ambitions on the global stage.
