Vance is eyeing the White House. Plenty have crowned him Trump’s successor.
And now JD Vance is under immense pressure to do one unthinkable act.
Pressure Mounts for Vance to Break Ties
Vice President JD Vance has faced repeated calls to repudiate or at least publicly distance himself from Tucker Carlson, the popular podcaster and former Fox News host, following controversies including Carlson’s friendly interview with white nationalist and Holocaust revisionist Nick Fuentes in late 2025.
That appearance, defended by Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, led to significant internal fallout at the think tank. Critics argue that Vance’s close association with Carlson—whom he credits for helping secure his 2024 vice-presidential nomination—could harm his standing as a leading 2028 GOP presidential contender.
Conservative activist Laura Loomer has been vocal in urging Vance to condemn Carlson, posting on X: “Tucker is going to destroy J.D. Vance’s Presidential campaign” unless he acts, and adding: “I am growing very alarmed by JD Vance’s refusal to condemn some of the crazy positions Tucker has taken.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also weighed in, telling Fox News: “He should not allow for a Nick Fuentes or a Tucker Carlson or others who are promoting antisemitic views to be platformed.” A National Review headline captured the sentiment: “Vance Will Have to Choose Between Tucker and the Presidency.”
Vance Defends Carlson as a Friend and Conservative Voice
Vance has shown no indication of backing away from Carlson, instead defending him firmly. In response to growing criticism after the Heritage controversy, Vance stated: “Tucker’s a friend of mine” and “I am not going to get into the business of throwing friends under the bus.”
In a December 2025 UnHerd interview, he elaborated: “The idea that Tucker Carlson, who has one of the largest podcasts in the world, who has millions of listeners, who supported Trump in the 2024 election, who supported me in the 2024 election, the idea that his views are somehow completely anathema to conservatism, that he has no place in the conservative movement, is frankly absurd. And I don’t think anybody actually believes it.”
Carlson, whose Tucker Carlson Network reaches millions and who has appeared at the White House with President Trump in recent months, remains a key figure in right-wing media circles.
Ongoing Ties and Political Context
The relationship traces back years, with Carlson playing a pivotal role in promoting Vance’s 2022 Senate run and reportedly influencing Trump’s 2024 VP selection.
Despite criticisms of Carlson’s platforming of fringe figures, his sharp critiques of Israel and U.S. foreign policy, and statements like calling “Christian Zionists” sufferers of a “brain virus,” Vance has maintained the alliance.
A recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll showed Vance leading GOP presidential preferences among Republicans at 53%, suggesting limited immediate backlash.
The debate highlights divisions within the conservative movement over figures like Carlson, with some warning of coalition fractures while others prioritize unity and free speech. Vance’s refusal to denounce has drawn scrutiny but aligns with his stated commitment to loyalty and rejecting what he views as unfair guilt-by-association tactics.
