Republican pundit Nikki Haley called on Vice President JD Vance to “choose a side” as she accused him Tuesday of not appearing to be in full support of Israel.
Haley, a former governor of North Carolina and staunch Israel supporter, wrote a sharp statement on Tuesday aimed at the vice president after he defended former Fox News host and Israel critic Tucker Carlson during his appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition leadership summit.
“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. You can’t be both @JDVance,” Haley wrote.
Haley’s remarks followed Vance’s attempt to court members of the Republican Jewish Coalition on Monday evening.
It’s reported that some members still aren’t sold on Vance after he reportedly gave lackluster answers when he was questioned about appearing on Carlson’s platform, which has faced accusations of amplifying antisemitic sentiments.
“A few names: Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Joe Rogan, Nick Fuentes. They have platformed antisemites,” former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), the RJC’s board chair, asked Vance. “How do you draw the line, in terms of … the platforms that you appear on?”
“I recognize a lot of people in this room may disagree with things that Tucker Carlson or Megyn Kelly or Joe Rogan have said,” Vance said.
He then steered the discussion toward Rogan and Fuentes, saying those are “two very, very different categories of people” and suggesting that people like Rogan should be reasoned with, even when there are disagreements.
Vance has had a longstanding relationship with Carlson. During Carlson’s tenure at Fox News, Vance would often appear on his show and even credited the right-wing commentator with helping him win his 2022 U.S. Senate primary in Ohio.
Furthermore, in 2024, Carlson urged Trump to pick Vance for his running mate.
Vance has appeared to stay quiet regarding the allegations of antisemitism that Carlson faces (Image: SAUL LOEB/POOL AFP via AP)
Politico reports that Vance’s remarks drew some applause from attendees, but he still has a long way to go to win back the support of some influential Jewish leaders.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has appeared to draw his line in the sand regarding his crumbling relationship with Carlson.
Carlson, once seen as a MAGA darling, has repeatedly voiced his criticism of the Iran war, as well as Trump’s backpedaling from his “America first” MAGA promise. In response, the president has lobbed his own criticism at Carlson, calling him a “low-IQ” individual.
Vance has appeared to stay quiet regarding the allegations of antisemitism that Carlson faces.