JD Vance dismisses claims of rising antisemitism in the GOP

Conservatives continue to debate how to address figures such as Nick Fuentes, who openly expresses disdain for Jews, and Tucker Carlson, whose attacks on Israel have intensified.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

US Vice President JD Vance, speaking to NBC News on Thursday, said he rejected the notion that antisemitism was growing among Republicans. He also praised New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, an avowed Socialist and a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel movement.

He told the network, “When I talk to young conservatives, I don’t see some simmering antisemitism that’s exploding.”

Vance said antisemitism is wrong, stating that “judging anybody based on their skin color or immutable characteristics, I think, is fundamentally anti-American and anti-Christian.”

He added that political movements inevitably include problematic voices but insisted those individuals do not define the party. “In any bunch of apples, you have bad people. But my attitude on this is we should be firm in saying antisemitism and racism are wrong. … I think it’s kind of slanderous to say that the Republican Party, the conservative movement, is extremely antisemitic.”

Vance, asked about political figures he respects despite ideological differences, cited Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Ro Khanna and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. He described Mamdani as “fascinating,” noting the mayor-elect’s focus on affordability concerns in New York City and saying, “Most politicians, it’s a very low bar, but they don’t even listen to people.”

Mamdani has caused significant unease among Jewish groups for his refusal to condemn the slogan “Globalize the intifada” and statement that he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New York.

His comments were delivered as conservatives continue to debate how to address figures such as Nick Fuentes, whose online following has raised alarm among Jewish Republicans and senior GOP aides.

Concerns intensified after Tucker Carlson, a longtime ally of both Vance and US President Donald Trump, hosted Fuentes on his podcast.

Senator Ted Cruz and others have said the appearance exposes a wider problem within the movement, prompting questions about why Vance had not spoken more openly until now.

The issue was also a recurring theme at a recent gathering of Jewish conservatives, where some participants faulted Vance for maintaining close ties with Carlson while avoiding direct criticism of Fuentes.

Carlson remains influential in conservative politics, and Trump has publicly backed him, recently saying, “You can’t tell him who to interview.” Trump previously met Fuentes in 2022 and later said he had been unaware of Fuentes’ background.

AntisemitismJD VanceZohran Mamdani