J.D. Vance could oust Donald Trump from the presidency under this scenario

If former President Donald Trump wins, his victory may be short-lived, retired American Enterprise Institute scholar Norm Ornstein speculated to Salon's Chauncey DeVega — because his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, could essentially give him the boot if it becomes clear his cognitive decline has become too severe to carry out the basic functions of office.

This is a consequence of the 25th Amendment, which provides a mechanism for the president's Cabinet to sideline him from duty if they deem the President cannot execute his duties.

"As the election approaches, I think we will see, excuse the cliche, more of Trump being Trump," Ornstein told DeVega. "I also think we will see an increase in his cognitive decline, which I hope against hope is covered in the mainstream media. The public must be reminded that while the vice president is the only member of the Executive Branch who can’t be fired, the president can essentially be fired by the vice president should he become significantly impaired. This is accomplished through the 25th Amendment."

"People must realize that a vote for Trump could easily be a vote for a President Vance," said Ornstein.

ALSO READ: Busted: Armed man arrested at rally tied to Trump's 'secretary of retribution'

Vance has been the least popular of the four candidates on the presidential ticket for weeks, spurred by public perception of his "weirdness" and his rants against childless women — although recent polling suggests that following the vice presidential debate, Vance's net unfavorables have become less severe, possibly because Trump supporters who had been turned off by him are now on board.

Trump, for his part, continues to deny his advanced age has given him any cognitive issues, bragging to the press and his rallygoers that he has "aced" recent dementia tests.

Ironically, Trump was recently asked about the possibility that President Joe Biden, also hounded by scrutiny over his mental fitness in recent months, could be sidelined by the 25th Amendment, and in his answer revealed he didn't know what the presidential line of succession was.