Vice President J.D. Vance pushed back Thursday against criticism of his friendship with conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson, who has been both a fierce critic of Israel and the Trump administration.
“Tucker is a friend of mine. Tucker is a friend despite the fact that we disagree on a number of things and I’m not going to play the game where I throw friends under the bus because I have political disagreements with them,” Mr. Vance said during the White House press briefing. “I think that is a terrible place for the United States to go.”
Mr. Vance pointed out political differences with Mr. Carlson, saying some of the podcaster’s comments about President Trump “are just wrong.” He also called out his friend for supporting Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed over Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
“I think El Sayed’s a crazy person and I think whatever your views on Mike Rogers’ specific policy prescriptions, I’d like to have a non-crazy person like Mike Rogers representing Michigan in the United States Senate rather than a crazy person like El Sayed,” Mr. Vance said in response to a question from The Washington Times.
Mr. Carlson said on a podcast this week that he would not vote for Mr. Rogers even “at gunpoint.”
Mr. Vance’s ties to Mr. Carlson have sparked a backlash among conservatives, especially given his strong criticism of Israel. Mr. Vance and the Trump administration have been supportive of Israel and the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.
The pressure has mounted on the vice president, especially as he prepares an expected run for the presidency in 2028.
Mr. Carlson faced scrutiny for hosting conservative commentator Nick Fuentes, a prominent Holocaust denier, on his show.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a Republican, this week accused Mr. Vance of not taking a clear stance on Israel, accusing him of trying to “be both” sides when it comes to the Jewish state.
“Right is right. Wrong is wrong. In life you must choose a side. You are either with the Tucker Carlson wing of the country or you are with the pro Israel wing of the country,” she wrote on social media. “You can’t be both.”
Mr. Vance lauded the U.S.-Israeli relationship Monday at a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition.
“What we have to do is articulate why this is in the best interest of the United States of America and actually get out there and talk about the ways in which it is in the best interest of the United States of America,” he said at the event.
Jewish Republicans criticized Mr. Vance for failing to address his ties to Mr. Carlson, though the vice president did mention Mr. Fuentes, describing him as someone “who really does hate Jews,” according to The Washington Post.
“And also, by the way, really hates me and my family, so you’re in good company; that is real,” Mr. Vance said of Mr. Fuentes.
• Mary McCue Bell contributed to this story.
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