Vice President JD Vance spent Monday night in Las Vegas speaking to members of the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) at the Venetian. The private “fireside chat” was intended to give the group an open forum to discuss concerns about the party’s direction on Israel and the broader U.S.–Israel relationship.
Addressing skepticism among Jewish Republicans
Vance opened by acknowledging a growing sense of skepticism among younger Americans about the U.S.–Israel alliance. He urged fellow Republicans to “talk about the ways it is in the best interest of the United States of America” and to engage directly with voters who question the partnership.
During the 45‑minute conversation, Vance did not take audience questions, but the moderator, former Minnesota senator Norm Coleman, steered the dialogue toward several sensitive topics. Vance referenced the “obvious elephants in the room” and emphasized that the United States must continue to view Israel as a vital strategic ally.
Controversial media personalities
When asked about his media appearances, Vance mentioned a range of hosts, including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Joe Rogan and Nick Fuentes. He noted that while he respects the right of these figures to speak, he distinguishes between them, calling Fuentes a “white nationalist and Holocaust denier” and stating that Rogan and Fuentes are “very, very different” people.
Vance declined to disavow Carlson, describing the former Fox News host as “a friend of mine” and calling him “totally irrelevant” to his policy positions. This stance follows President Donald Trump’s own public falling out with Carlson over the administration’s foreign‑policy decisions.
Reactions from RJC members
RJC CEO Matt Brooks said the event was kept private to allow for an honest conversation. While former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer praised Vance for answering questions about his heart on Israel, other attendees felt the vice president fell short.
Gen Z activist Shabbos Kestenbaum said Vance “totally deflected” and failed to address the Carlson issue directly. Radio host Sid Rosenberg echoed this sentiment, calling Vance’s remarks “not strong enough on Israel.” In contrast, California‑based RJC member Stuart Weil expressed confidence in Vance’s support for Israel, saying he has no fear of backing Vance as a future president.
Broader context
The meeting comes amid a noticeable decline in public support for Israel across party lines since the Gaza war began in October 2023 and the subsequent U.S.–Iran conflict. Jewish Republican donors, many of whom are aligned with longtime benefactor Miriam Adelson, continue to play a significant role in shaping the GOP’s presidential field.
Vance’s recent diplomatic efforts, including his push for an Iran peace deal that later collapsed, have kept his Israel policy under scrutiny. He warned Israeli officials not to “attack the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world” and later accused some Israeli officials of trying to manipulate American public opinion.
Despite mixed reactions, Vance’s appearance underscores the ongoing debate within the Republican Party about how to balance strong support for Israel with the concerns of Jewish constituents and broader voter sentiment.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
