J.D. Vance names AOC leading Democrat for 2028, she responds awkwardly
"I think it's gotta be AOC, based on conventional wisdom and her outsized influence on American college campuses."
About this episode
Dave Rubin hosts First Look on Thursday, July 2nd, 2026, leading with Vice President J.D. Vance's assessment that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the leading Democrat for the 2028 presidential race. Speaking with Michael Knowles, Vance cited AOC's outsized influence on American college campuses as the basis for his prediction. When reporters confronted Ocasio-Cortez on Capitol Hill, she delivered an awkward response, saying she hopes Vance himself gets the Republican nomination. Vance later told reporters he doesn't think much about 2028 and remains focused on delivering wins for the American people now, with midterm elections approaching. The show also covers LeBron James's departure from the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, one championship, and breaking the NBA's all-time scoring record. According to his longtime agent Rich Paul, the 41-year-old superstar chose complete happiness over money and market size, declining to return despite the Lakers offering the most lucrative opportunity. James, who gave himself an 80 percent chance of returning before the number kept dropping, is now considering contenders like the Warriors, Cavaliers, Heat, and Timberwolves for one final championship run. The episode concludes with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson facing backlash from Hollywood leftists including George Takei and Wil Wheaton after telling Esquire he wants to keep his politics private and focus on storytelling. Johnson, who endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 but refused to endorse anyone in 2024, said his earlier political involvement caused deep division and he now wants to bring the country together rather than tear it apart.
Key takeaways
- Vice President J.D. Vance named Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the leading Democrat for the 2028 presidential race based on her influence on college campuses.
- AOC awkwardly responded to Vance's assessment by saying she hopes Vance himself gets the Republican nomination in 2028.
- Vance deflected 2028 speculation, saying his focus remains on delivering results for Americans now with midterm elections approaching.
- LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, choosing complete happiness over the most lucrative financial opportunity according to agent Rich Paul.
- The 41-year-old James is considering contenders like the Warriors, Cavaliers, Heat, and Timberwolves for one final championship run.
- Dwayne Johnson faces attacks from George Takei and Wil Wheaton after telling Esquire he wants to keep his politics private and focus on entertainment.
- Johnson endorsed Biden in 2020 but refused to endorse anyone in 2024, saying his earlier political involvement caused deep division he wants to avoid.