Vice President JD Vance Claims: "There is No Rising Antisemitism in GOP"

Vice President JD Vance forcefully rejected warnings that the Republican Party is becoming more antisemitic, calling the charge “slanderous” and insisting the problem has not worsened over the past decade.

In a wide-ranging interview with NBC News marking the end of his first year in office, Vance responded directly to recent Republican voices, including Sen. Ted Cruz, who have described antisemitism on the right as an “existential crisis” for the party.

“I think it’s kind of slanderous to say that the Republican Party, the conservative movement, is extremely antisemitic,” Vance said. “Do I think the Republican Party is substantially more antisemitic than it was 10 or 15 years ago? Absolutely not.”

The vice president acknowledged that “in any bunch of apples you have bad people,” but argued their numbers remain marginal. “We should be firm in saying antisemitism and racism are wrong,” he added, “but I just don’t see the simmering antisemitism that’s exploding that some people claim.”

Vance’s comments come amid growing concern from pro-Israel Republicans and Jewish conservative leaders over the influence of far-right figures such as Nick Fuentes, leaked antisemitic text messages among some Young Republican members, and Tucker Carlson’s decision to platform controversial guests who question U.S. support for Israel.

Cruz, speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition summit in October, warned that he had seen more antisemitic rhetoric on the right in recent years than at any point in his lifetime.

Vance, who has cultivated a close relationship with Carlson, said he does not detect similar attitudes among the young conservatives he meets and reiterated his personal opposition to judging people “based on their skin color or immutable characteristics.”

The White House has not commented further on the interview.