Vance Sidesteps Carlson Question at Jewish Coalition

Vice President JD Vance emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, pinned rising antisemitism on immigration, and sidestepped a question about podcasters like Tucker Carlson during a closed-door appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual summit on Monday in Las Vegas.

During a 35-minute conversation with RJC Chairman Norm Coleman, Vance was asked where he drew the line when deciding which podcasts he could appear on. Coleman named Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Joe Rogan, and Nick Fuentes as examples of hosts who have platformed antisemites, but Vance avoided mentioning Carlson, answering only about Rogan and Fuentes.

Vance acknowledged that “a lot of people in this room may disagree with things that Tucker Carlson or Megyn Kelly or Joe Rogan have said,” then immediately shifted to comparing Rogan and Fuentes. He said they are “two very, very different categories of people,” added that he would not talk to someone who attacked his wife or called Hitler a good guy, and condemned “blood libel” rhetoric. He never addressed Carlson’s recent RT comments or issued a direct disavowal.

A Strategic Omission

Some attendees and commentators later called the dodge on Carlson disappointing, saying it was the obvious moment to draw a clearer line. The silence was notable given the stakes for Vance, who faces a potential 2028 presidential run and must contend with lingering skepticism among Jewish Republicans.

Vance is facing what's likely to be, at minimum, some skeptics in the crowd, given his relationship with antisemitic commentator Tucker Carlson, his involvement in peace talks with Iran, and his public criticisms of Israel.

During his Q&A with Coleman, Vance blamed some of the recent rise in antisemitism on immigration, claiming that "a lot" of it was "coming from these Third World immigrants importing these ancient ethnic hatreds." He added that there was "a much deeper cultural symbiosis and harmony" to the United States.

He also recounted a conversation with the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk about antisemitism, saying Kirk shared his view that "Jew hatred is corrosive to the soul."

The Carlson Context

Carlson has repeatedly claimed that Israel manipulates the U.S. into doing its bidding. He has alleged that Israel provided false intelligence about weapons of mass destruction to push the U.S. into invading Iraq, and that Israel had foreknowledge of 9/11 and a 1983 Hezbollah attack on U.S. Marine barracks but concealed it.

Carlson himself has promoted multiple antisemitic conspiracy theories, including claims that modern Jews have no biblical lineage and that Israel persecutes Christians. Until recently, Carlson's son Buckley worked as Vance's press secretary.

Vance's appearance came at a moment when a number of Jewish Republicans have turned against him over his reprimanding of Israeli officials, indulgence of anti-Israel conspiracy theories, and his silence on Carlson. Some donors have indicated that they would prefer Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Vance as the presidential nominee in 2028.

At last year's RJC conference, attendees brandished "Tucker is not MAGA" placards in protest. Former Auburn University basketball coach Bruce Pearl, a prominent pro-Israel conservative, previously said that Vance would need to reject Carlson to receive his support.

RJC board member Ari Fleischer told reporters that the event represented "progress day" for Vance and the Jewish community. However, not all of those with access to the audio recording of the private session agreed.

As Tucker moves further down the rabbit hole of spreading classic antisemitic tropes, Vance's silence is deafening.