US Vice President JD Vance has publicly rejected assertions from within his own party that antisemitism is experiencing a dangerous surge among American conservatives.
Vance Dismisses 'Explosion' Narrative
In a comprehensive interview with NBC News on Thursday, 5 December 2025, the Vice President distanced himself from fellow Republicans who have raised alarms about growing anti-Jewish hostility within their ranks. Vance argued that judging individuals based on immutable characteristics is fundamentally un-American and unchristian.
"I do think it’s important to call this stuff out when I see it," Vance told the outlet. "I also, when I talk to young conservatives, I don’t see some simmering antisemitism that’s exploding." He acknowledged the existence of isolated bad actors but insisted their prevalence has not increased substantially.
A Direct Rebuke to Internal Critics
Vance's comments stand in direct contrast to warnings from figures like Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. Cruz has denounced what he describes as an escalation of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment, including among young conservatives. He has specifically criticised a group who questioned Vance about Israel and castigated commentator Tucker Carlson for platforming Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.
When pressed on whether the Republican Party has become more antisemitic over the past decade, Vance was unequivocal. "Do I think that the Republican Party is substantially more antisemitic than it was 10 or 15 years ago? Absolutely not," he stated. "I think it’s kind of slanderous to say that the Republican Party, the conservative movement, is extremely antisemitic."
Context of Rising Tensions and Scandal
This internal debate unfolds against a backdrop of several high-profile incidents involving Republicans and allegations of antisemitism:
- In October 2025, Politico published leaked Telegram chats from leaders of Young Republican groups containing extensive antisemitic, racist, and white supremacist rhetoric, including praise for Adolf Hitler.
- Paul Ingrassia, then-nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew after texts surfaced where he allegedly admitted to having "a Nazi streak."
Concerns about antisemitism have grown significantly since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza. According to Gallup surveys, American sympathy for Israel has plummeted while the perception of antisemitism as a major problem has risen.
The Anti-Defamation League reports that antisemitic incidents have "skyrocketed" since 2023, with its CEO Jonathan Greenblatt stating in 2024 that the American Jewish community faces an "unprecedented" threat level. However, groups like Jewish Voice for Peace argue the ADL conflates anti-Zionism with antisemitism, complicating the discourse.
Similar controversies have also touched the Democratic Party, such as when Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner covered up a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol following public backlash in October 2025.
