Vice President JD Vance addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) annual leadership summit on Monday, September 1, aiming to build support among pro-Israel donors and leaders. While participants reported that the Vice President received multiple standing ovations, some attendees expressed dissatisfaction with his response to questions regarding his relationship with media figures accused of platforming antisemites.
The closed-door appearance in Las Vegas was Vance’s first at the summit as Vice President, a session intended to lower tensions with donors who have questioned his foreign policy views. During a 35-minute conversation with RJC Board Chair and former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), Vance spoke on the U.S.-Israel alliance and stated that "Jew-hatred is corrosive to the soul."
Tension arose during a question-and-answer period when Coleman asked Vance how he decides which platforms to appear on, specifically naming Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Joe Rogan, and Nick Fuentes. Vance declined to address Carlson or Kelly by name in his response, instead distinguishing between Rogan and Fuentes. He argued that Rogan should be reasoned with, while stating he would not speak to individuals who have attacked his wife or praised Adolf Hitler.
A donor or activist in this community would notice a candidate's specific choice of associations when deciding where to direct financial support or endorsements. For instance, RJC board member Josh Katzen noted that while Vance allayed some concerns, his failure to address his relationship with Carlson left some "wondering why." Another board member, Eric Levine, suggested Vance missed an opportunity to clearly separate himself from Carlson, whom Levine compared to anti-Israel activists on the political left.
The response to Vance’s performance establishes a baseline for his standing relative to other potential 2028 contenders, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who have more established ties with this group. While a spokesperson for the RJC said the organization stands with leaders who "show up," others, like radio host Sid Rosenberg, noted that Vance failed to "wow" some members of the audience. No formal primary votes or deadlines are currently set, but the summit serves as a recurring assessment of candidate viability among influential party organizers.