Inside the Powerful Conservative Network Positioning JD Vance for 2028
A Vice President Courts His Base
On a Monday evening in Nashville, Tennessee, an unusual scene unfolded at the luxurious Four Seasons hotel. A long line of well-dressed conservative donors wound around the first floor, all waiting for their chance to take an elevator upstairs. Their destination? A private gathering where Vice President JD Vance would address members of the Rockbridge Network, an exclusive and secretive donor group that Vance himself helped establish back in 2019 when he was working as a private investor. The price of admission for this elite event speaks volumes about the caliber of attendees: a minimum of $100,000 per person. According to sources present at the meeting, approximately 250 members of this wealthy conservative community gathered to hear what the vice president had to say. The event was part of Rockbridge’s spring summit, a multi-day affair that brought together some of the most influential figures in conservative politics and business. While officially focused on current political challenges, the gathering also highlighted the growing network of wealthy supporters who may play a crucial role in shaping the Republican Party’s future leadership.
The Official Message: Fraud, Elections, and Midterm Challenges
During his remarks to the assembled donors, Vance concentrated on several key topics that reflect the Trump administration’s current priorities. He discussed his leadership role in President Trump’s new anti-fraud task force, an initiative that addresses concerns about government waste and corruption. The vice president also spent considerable time addressing the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, which represent a significant challenge for Republicans hoping to maintain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Historical patterns suggest that the party controlling the White House typically loses seats during midterm elections, and wealthy Republicans are already preparing for what many anticipate could be a “blue wave” favoring Democrats. Political organizations aligned with President Trump are gearing up to spend hundreds of millions of dollars over the next eight months to combat this potential shift in power. Vance’s discussion of these immediate political challenges provided a practical focus for the gathering, giving donors insight into the administration’s priorities and where their financial support might be most needed. However, despite the official focus on present-day concerns, a source in the room confirmed that Vance strategically avoided any discussion of the 2028 presidential race, noting that “it obviously wouldn’t be too smart to do that” while serving as vice president.
The Unspoken Agenda: Eyes on 2028
While Vance carefully steered clear of discussing his own presidential ambitions, the elephant in the room was impossible to ignore. Recent polling from the Conservative Political Action Conference reveals significant support for Vance as the Republican presidential candidate in 2028, with 53% of respondents naming him as their preferred choice. Secretary of State Marco Rubio came in second with 35% support, but the gap between the two potential candidates is substantial. According to a conservative venture capitalist who requested anonymity to discuss the inner workings of Rockbridge, the members attending this gathering represent “the people that will be rallying around JD, and they want to back JD.” This sentiment underscores the real purpose behind such events: while the official agenda focuses on current political battles, these gatherings serve as crucial relationship-building opportunities for politicians and their potential future supporters. The Rockbridge Network, which Vance co-founded, provides him with direct access to some of the wealthiest and most influential conservatives in America—the very people who could fund a presidential campaign. The timing and nature of this event suggest that groundwork is already being laid for 2028, even if no one is saying so explicitly.
Where Business Meets Politics
Vance’s day in Nashville perfectly illustrated how modern conservative politics intertwines business interests with political ambitions. Before appearing at the Rockbridge summit, the vice president attended a separate Republican fundraising event in the city. The Rockbridge gathering itself brought together an impressive array of wealthy donors and business leaders who represent the intersection of conservative politics and entrepreneurial capitalism. Among the notable attendees was Rebekah Mercer, a billionaire heiress and prominent conservative donor whose family has played a significant role in funding Republican causes and candidates. Also present was Omeed Malik, a business partner of Donald Trump Jr., who is himself a close ally of Vance. Malik and Trump Jr. help lead 1789 Capital, an investment firm that describes itself as “anti-woke” and counts Mercer as a co-founder. This firm represents a growing trend of conservative investors who explicitly link their business ventures with political ideology, creating what they see as alternatives to mainstream financial institutions they view as too liberal. The presence of these figures at an event headlined by Vance demonstrates the increasingly blurred lines between political networking and business deal-making in conservative circles.
The Rockbridge Network’s Expanding Influence
The connections between Rockbridge and other conservative ventures run deep. Chris Buskirk, who co-founded Rockbridge alongside Vance, also helped launch 1789 Capital, further cementing the relationship between these organizations. Federal Election Commission filings reveal additional financial ties: Make America Great Again Inc., the primary super PAC supporting President Trump, has paid more than $100,000 since last June for “strategic political consulting” to Thumos Strategy, a firm that lists Chris Buskirk’s Arizona home as its address. These interconnections create a powerful network where political influence, fundraising capability, and business interests all flow together. As one conservative investor told CBS News, “There is a Venn diagram where Rockbridge and 1789 meet, and they want JD to be the heir apparent.” This comment captures the strategic positioning taking place within conservative circles, where key players are already aligning themselves with who they believe will be the Republican Party’s next leader. The Rockbridge summit served as a visible manifestation of this alignment, bringing together donors, business leaders, and political operatives in a setting that facilitated both formal presentations and informal relationship-building.
A Who’s Who of Conservative Power Players
The guest list at the Rockbridge event read like a directory of conservative political and business influence. Chris LaCivita, a veteran Republican strategist who served as senior adviser to Trump’s 2024 campaign, was spotted mingling with Rebekah Mercer, highlighting the ongoing connections between Trump’s political operation and wealthy conservative donors. LaCivita also participated in a panel discussion about the upcoming midterm elections, sharing his strategic insights with the assembled group. Shortly after Vance arrived at the Four Seasons, Kid Rock—the musician who has become an icon in MAGA-aligned circles—was seen entering the hotel, adding a touch of celebrity to the political gathering. Other attendees included Josh Gruenbaum, a senior White House official who has worked on Middle East diplomacy alongside Jared Kushner and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, demonstrating the event’s pull among current administration officials. Brazilian entrepreneur Tallis Gomes was also present, along with Blake Masters, the venture capitalist and former Republican U.S. Senate candidate from Arizona who unsuccessfully ran for office in 2022. Masters, like Vance, represents a newer generation of Republican politicians who emerged from the tech and investment world rather than traditional political backgrounds. The diverse array of attendees—from White House officials to businesspeople to entertainers—demonstrates how the modern conservative movement has created an ecosystem that encompasses politics, business, entertainment, and media. These gatherings serve multiple purposes: they raise money for political causes, facilitate business deals, strengthen personal relationships, and position emerging leaders for future campaigns. While a spokesperson for Vance did not respond to requests for comment about the event, the vice president’s appearance and the carefully curated guest list speak for themselves, revealing a sophisticated operation building support for whatever political future Vance may pursue.
