Vice President JD Vance sought to address skepticism within the Republican Jewish community during his appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s (RJC) annual summit in Las Vegas on Monday. His visit came amid lingering concerns among many Jewish Republicans about his stance on Israel, his ties to controversial conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, and his broader approach to antisemitism.

Vance’s attendance marked a calculated effort to mend relations with a key Republican donor bloc that has expressed unease with his candidacy as he prepares for a likely 2028 presidential bid. The vice president, who also serves as the Republican National Committee’s finance chair, aimed to reassure the audience of his commitment to the U.S.-Israel alliance and opposition to antisemitism, while navigating a delicate balancing act between different conservative factions within the party.

Speaking in a closed-door session, Vance emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, describing Israel as “certainly one of our most important alliances in the world” and highlighting the strategic benefits such as intelligence collaboration and technology sharing. He acknowledged the waning enthusiasm for the alliance among younger Americans, proposing that Republicans need to update how they advocate for it. Vance also linked the rise in antisemitism to factors such as immigration, “woke politics,” and an increased focus on group identity, framing his political agenda as a response to these challenges.

However, Vance’s remarks did not fully appease all attendees, particularly regarding his association with Tucker Carlson. Carlson, a former Fox News host who played a significant role in promoting Vance’s political rise, has been criticized for providing platforms to Holocaust apologists, white nationalist figures like Nick Fuentes, and for propagating conspiracy theories that many view as antisemitic. During the summit, RJC chairman Norm Coleman referenced Carlson among media figures who have reportedly enabled antisemitic views, but Vance refrained from directly addressing his relationship with Carlson. Instead, he articulated a “wide tent” communication strategy, explaining that while he would not engage with individuals who have personally attacked his family or expressed extremist views, he favored dialogue with many others, citing Joe Rogan as an example.

This reluctance to condemn Carlson explicitly drew criticism from several community members and commentators. Eric Levine, an RJC board member, described Carlson as part of a problematic group of “Jew haters,” urging Vance to distance himself more clearly. Similarly, conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg expressed disappointment that Vance missed an opportunity to confront Carlson during his remarks.

Vance also confronted domestic political divisions head-on. He criticized Michigan’s Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, calling him “very, very evil” during a rally for his opponent, Republican Mike Rogers. Vance emphasized his vision of being a “reasonable moderate” who can bridge divides between staunch pro-Israel advocates and critics within conservative circles.

While some Republican Jewish donors remain wary and have voiced support for alternative candidates such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is considered more traditionally aligned with the community’s values, others defended Vance’s potential. Prior to his speech, RJC board member Sander Gerber expressed confidence in Vance’s capacity as a future president, noting that broader concerns about rising antisemitism have heightened anxieties within the group.

Following the event, RJC leaders viewed Vance’s engagement as a positive step, with board member Ari Fleischer calling it “progress” in the relationship. However, the overall reception highlighted ongoing tensions within the Republican Party as it grapples with questions around antisemitism, party identity, and the place of the Jewish community in its coalition.