Vance calls Trump critic Carlson “my friend” as he builds a post-Trump profile

“I’m not going to play the game of abandoning friends because we have different political opinions,” Vice President J.D. Vance said on Sept. 3. He was defending his relationship with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s Iran policy.

“Everyone knows that Tucker Carlson and I are friends,” Vance said. He added that Carlson had made statements about Trump that he considered completely wrong, but said that political disagreement would not end their friendship.

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I’m not going to play the game of abandoning friends because we have different political opinions.

The exchange illustrates the careful political ground Vance is navigating. Carlson remains influential among young MAGA supporters who oppose foreign military intervention and emphasize an America First agenda. Vance has also expressed skepticism about overseas involvement, including U.S. support for Ukraine.

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Everyone knows that Tucker Carlson and I are friends.

At the same time, Vance has sought better relations with pro-Israel Republicans who have been less supportive of him. He attended a Republican Jewish Coalition event in Las Vegas on Aug. 31, where he emphasized the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel. Attendees said he received a standing ovation. Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary under George W. Bush, called it a day of progress in Vance’s relationship with the Jewish community.

Vance is also campaigning actively for the November midterms. In Michigan, he backed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and attacked Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed as “very, very evil.” Reuters described the remarks as an example of the Republican strategy of targeting the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.

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Ultimately, we have to get J.D. elected.

Trump has not publicly chosen a successor, although he has reportedly told donors, “Ultimately, we have to get J.D. elected.” The Washington Post said Trump continues to maintain a competitive dynamic by asking associates to compare Vance with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Vance himself avoided questions about whether he could support Ted Cruz or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in 2028, saying, “I’m not going to take that bait.” He urged Republicans to focus on the midterms rather than future positions.

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I’m not going to take that bait.