Former deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews took aim at Vice President JD Vance's political style on Friday, arguing he lacks the charisma that made President Trump's online provocations effective. The critique came after Vance mocked a conservative columnist's weight in a post about burrito affordability.

Appearing on CNN's NewsNight, Matthews dismissed Vance's attempt at Trump-style trolling. "People are receptive to Trump's trolling, but I don't think people are as receptive to JD Vance's because Trump is at least, like him or not, charismatic. JD Vance is negative rizz when it comes to charisma," she said.

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The controversy began when Vance responded to Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen, who had weighed in on the cost of burritos. "I'm surprised to hear Mark say this. If you've ever met him in person, it's quite obvious the man has never missed a burrito," Vance wrote on X.

Defending the remark on Hugh Hewitt's Salem News Channel show, Vance called it a joke and said he felt "pretty good" about it, even if he might regret it later. The exchange has fueled questions about Vance's political instincts as he positions himself as a potential Republican presidential contender in 2028.

Vance is seen as a leading candidate for the GOP nomination, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump, however, downplayed the early jockeying, telling reporters, "I think he's great, but we're way too early to even be thinking about that." The president's comments follow reports that he was urging donors to back Vance, which Trump disputed.

The behind-the-scenes rivalry between Vance and Rubio has been mostly quiet, though Vance has joked about the dynamic, comparing it to Trump's old reality show The Apprentice. "I just don't think it sounds like the president of the United States to have a televised competition for who would succeed him as his apprentice," Vance said in May.

Recent polling among conservative activists shows Rubio leading the pack. A straw poll at the Western Conservative Summit last week gave Rubio 57 percent support, with Vance at 21 percent.

Matthews' comments highlight a broader debate within Republican circles about whether Vance can match Trump's unique political appeal. As the 2028 race begins to take shape, the burrito incident may become a defining moment for Vance's public image.