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🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

Vance appeals to Jewish Republicans, but doesn't address Tucker Carlson ties

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Vice President JD Vance emphasized the US-Israel relationship and blamed immigration for rising antisemitism during a closed-door Republican Jewish Coalition summit appearance.
  • Vance avoided directly addressing his relationship with Tucker Carlson after being asked about podcasts that have hosted antisemites.
  • The appearance drew standing ovations, although some Jewish Republicans remained dissatisfied with his response and have considered Marco Rubio a preferable 2028 nominee.

JD Vance received two standing ovations from Republican Jewish Coalition members, but left the most contentious question about his political alliances unanswered.

At the group’s annual summit, the vice president stressed the importance of the American-Israel relationship and attributed rising antisemitism to immigration. His appearance came as some Jewish Republicans have turned against him over his criticism of Israeli officials, his tolerance of anti-Israel conspiracy theories and his silence on Tucker Carlson, a prominent media personality associated with such narratives.

Today is not primary day. But I think today was progress day for JD Vance and the Jewish community.

— Ari FleischerThe RJC board member assessed Vance’s appearance after the summit.

During a 35-minute conversation with RJC chairman Norm Coleman, Vance was asked how he decides which podcasts to join. Coleman cited Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Joe Rogan and Nick Fuentes as examples of hosts who have given platforms to antisemites. Vance addressed Rogan and Fuentes, but did not mention Carlson.

I do not think that Joe Rogan and Nick Fuentes are the same, just substantively.

— JD VanceVance responded to a question about podcast hosts who have platformed antisemites.

“I do not think that Joe Rogan and Nick Fuentes are the same, just substantively,” Vance said. He added, “Obviously I’m not going to talk to a guy who’s attacked my wife or said that Hitler is a good guy, but outside of some pretty bright lines, I try to talk to as many people as I can.”

The broad approach won applause in the room, but not everyone approved. RJC member Neil Cooper said Coleman should have pressed Vance to clarify his position on Carlson. Radio host Sid Rosenberg also criticized Vance for defending Rogan instead of confronting Carlson and Kelly. Ann Rubinfeld, an RJC member who supports Vance for 2028, said she opposed Carlson but did not believe Vance needed to address him directly. RJC board member Ari Fleischer called the appearance “progress day” for Vance and the Jewish community.

Obviously I’m not going to talk to a guy who’s attacked my wife or said that Hitler is a good guy, but outside of some pretty bright lines, I try to talk to as many people as I can.

— JD VanceVance described the limits of his wide-tent media strategy.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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