Vance Disputes Claims of Rising Antisemitism on the Right

WASHINGTON — Vice President J.D. Vance said he does not believe antisemitism is increasing inside the Republican Party, disputing concerns raised by some within the GOP. His comments came during an interview published by NBC News, which spoke with Vance as he reflected on his first year in office.

“I’m not seeing an explosion of antisemitism when I talk to young conservatives,” Vance told NBC News, adding that the party should condemn prejudice but should not be portrayed as drifting toward extremism. “It’s simply not true that the conservative movement has become deeply antisemitic,” he said.

Vance’s remarks follow criticism from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who has warned about anti-Israel rhetoric among some conservative activists. Cruz has also questioned broadcaster Tucker Carlson — an ally of Vance — for featuring a Holocaust denier on his program, according to NBC News.

During the interview, Vance also discussed the administration’s record on inflation and immigration, acknowledging that voters are frustrated by high prices but arguing that the problems stem from policies under former President Joe Biden. Vance pointed to a decline in illegal border crossings and stepped-up deportations as evidence that the current administration is delivering results.

He highlighted his role in helping President Donald Trump secure passage of a major tax and spending package, telling NBC News that casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate was one of the most direct ways he saw his work “make a difference.”

On foreign policy, Vance said efforts to negotiate a resolution to Russia’s war against Ukraine have been slower than the White House hoped, calling it a “persistent challenge,” though he expressed optimism that progress is being made.

Asked about the 2028 presidential race, Vance again avoided specifics, telling NBC News that he is focused on supporting Trump rather than positioning himself for future campaigns. He said he would not publicly criticize the president while serving as vice president.

Vance also named three progressive figures he has come to respect — Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Ro Khanna and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani — saying all three take economic concerns seriously even though he disagrees with them ideologically.

Looking ahead to next year’s midterm elections, Vance told NBC News that voters will ultimately judge whether the administration’s agenda is improving their lives. “People want to see results,” he said. “We’re working as hard as we can to deliver them.”