Did JD Vance hint at 2028 run? VP jokes about Usha as ‘Vice President’ in Azerbaijan

US Vice President JD Vance seemingly hinted at his 2028 Presidency while delivering a press statement with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on February 10, 2026. The 41-year-old quipped about Usha Vance "getting ideas" to become Vice President during his term, akin to Aliyev's wife, Mehriban Aliyeva.

Vance who is married to Indian-origin attorney Usha Vance arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday from Armenia. He is travelling with his wife and three kids on a regional trip aimed at formalising a US-brokered peace process between the neighbouring countries.




Thanking the Azerbaijan President for his welcoming statement Vance began by appreciating the country's support in the 'global war on terrorism'. "I think many Americans may not know that, for example, the Azerbaijanis were some of the last to leave Afghanistan."

He announced America's collaboration to help the Eurasian country protect its territorial waters and to ensure that the peace agreement between the two countries "sticks". He also commended Aliyev for being the only leader in the world after Trump to have "good relations" with both Turks and Israelis.

While ending his speech, he shared his and Usha's excitement for the upcoming dinner. Vance also pointed out that the President's wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, was the Vice-President of the country and joked about Usha getting inspiration from the same, hinting at his own presidential dreams which have been known and promoted in the US by people including Trump and Erika Kirk. "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," he said to a crowd that erupted in laughter.

In 2017, the Azerbaijani President created the position of Vice President in the country and signed an order appointing his wife as the First Vice-President. While America already has the position, currently occupied by Vance himself, the Republican has hinted at his wife's possible foray into politics alongside him.

Ilham Aliyev initiated the event by welcoming Vance to Azerbaijan and thanking the Trump administration for its "positive attitude" towards the country. He went on to share that Azerbaijan has now lifted all restrictions on transit cargo to Armenia and has also started to supply oil products to the Caucasus neighbour. "In other words, today's visit of Vice President Vance can be called historical, from the point of view of hosting our friend and guest, and from the point of view of the substance of negotiations and the Strategic Charter which has been signed. Once again, Mr. Vice President, welcome to Azerbaijan," he said.

Vance's visit follows US President Donald Trump's mediation in 2025 for a peace agreement between the historical rivals Baku and Yerevan who have fought two wars over the region of Karabakh. Trump brokered an agreement between the countries to commit to renouncing claims on each other's territory and refrain from using force. Azerbaijan seized the region in 2023 and ended three decades of rule by Armenian separatists. Prior to coming to Azerbaijan, Vance met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan. He also visited the Armenian Genocide memorial with Usha and the couple laid a wreath there. However, a post on the same was deleted later on from Vance's social media account due to online controversy.

As for his Presidency, Trump endorsed Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as "very capable" candidates for the 2028 Presidential ticket in a recent NBC News interview. Moreover, TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk also promoted Vance's presidential candidacy at an event in December 2025, saying, "We are going to get my husband's friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible."