Vance distinguished Fuentes from Carlson, Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly but did not condemn Carlson or distance himself from his longtime ally.
By United with Israel Staff
Vice President JD Vance sought to reassure skeptical pro-Israel conservatives during a closed-door appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual summit in Las Vegas on Monday, but his remarks failed to ease concerns among some Jewish conservatives over his approach to Israel, his foreign policy views and his longstanding relationship with Tucker Carlson.
Vance received enthusiastic applause and several standing ovations during his conversation with former Sen. Norm Coleman, the RJC’s national chairman. But he entered the summit facing concerns over his “realist” foreign policy, disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, his restrained approach during the Iran war and his continued association with Carlson.
The concerns carry particular weight as Vance is widely viewed as a frontrunner for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination and a potential successor to President Donald Trump.
Coleman directly questioned Vance about Carlson and other podcasters who have hosted anti-Israel or antisemitic figures, asking where he draws the line between them and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.
Vance distinguished Fuentes from Carlson, Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly but did not condemn Carlson or distance himself from his longtime ally.
“I recognize a lot of people in this room are going to disagree with things that Tucker Carlson or Megyn Kelly or Joe Rogan have said,” Vance said.
“As a political matter, I think that we have got to be willing to go everywhere and bring our message anywhere and to any person,” he added.
Vance also acknowledged disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem, while calling Israel America’s “most important regional alliance” and “one of our most important alliances in the world.”
He argued that Republicans need to make a new case for Israel to younger Americans, noting a “growing suspicion” of the U.S.-Israel relationship among people under 40.
Vance said that case should focus on the “concrete alignment of interest” between the two countries rather than rhetoric that worked “30 or 40 years ago.”
His remarks failed to satisfy some prominent pro-Israel conservatives.
WABC radio host and outspoken Trump supporter Sid Rosenberg said Vance had not been forceful enough in his support for Israel.
“My honest assessment of Vice President Vance tonight? He was not strong enough on Israel,” Rosenberg wrote.
Rosenberg criticized Vance for referring to Israel as “ONE of our best allies” and said he “had a chance to hammer” Carlson and Megyn Kelly but instead focused on distinguishing Joe Rogan from Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.
“I don’t think he wowed the STRONG Jews in the room tonight,” Rosenberg added.
My honest assessment of Vice President Vance tonight? He was not strong enough on Israel. In fact he referred to Israel as ONE of our best allies. One of? He had a chance to hammer @TuckerCarlson and @megynkelly but instead spent all his time defending @joerogan over Nick…
— Sid Rosenberg (@sidrosenberg19) September 1, 2026
Professor Jeffrey Lax, a CUNY professor and outspoken pro-Israel activist who has been a prominent critic of campus antisemitism, went further, criticizing both Vance and the RJC leadership.
Lax took particular issue with Vance describing Carlson’s rhetoric as something Jews might simply “disagree” with, noting that Vance never explicitly said that he himself disagreed with Carlson.
“Vance wouldn’t even say that HE disagreed with Tucker,” Lax wrote.
“This is not a policy quarrel. It’s a stab in the neck described by JD as a massage,” he added.
Lax also accused RJC leaders of being too willing to embrace Vance despite the concerns surrounding his positions, saying they were “lapping it all up.” He singled out Coleman for discussing the possibility of the organization endorsing Vance again.
“The most nauseating moment of the night may have been RJC’s Norm Coleman saying he wanted the RJC to ‘re-endorse’ Vance,” Lax wrote.
Leaked audio of Vance’s talk at @RJC show Vance defending Tucker and the RJC anoinnting Vance.
The tape obtained by @realDailyWire confirmed all fears about both the RJC and Vance. RJC’s @normcoleman rightly compared Tucker Carlson to Nick Fuentes and asked how a politician… https://t.co/OLqq3ibXQN
— Prof. Jeffrey Lax (@CUNY_Prof) September 1, 2026
Despite those concerns, RJC leaders showered Vance with praise following the appearance. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) said Vance “hit a home run with the crowd,” while RJC CEO Matt Brooks said attendees would leave believing that Vance “really gets it and gets us.”
Former White House press secretary and RJC board member Ari Fleischer called the appearance “progress day for JD Vance with the Jewish community.”
The warm reception from RJC leadership did little to address the criticism from Vance’s pro-Israel skeptics.
His appearance at the closely watched summit offered Vance an opportunity to put those concerns to rest, but his remarks instead left many of the same questions hanging over a potential 2028 presidential bid.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!