Vice President JD Vance delivered a closed-door speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s (RJC) annual leadership summit in Las Vegas, aiming to address concerns from pro-Israel donors about his stance on the U.S.-Israeli relationship and how he would handle antisemitism within the Republican Party. While his remarks were seen as largely reassuring, some attendees expressed disappointment with how he responded to questions about his ties to conservative media figures like Tucker Carlson. Vance, currently considered a leading contender for the Republican nomination in 2028, has long faced skepticism from Jewish Republicans about his commitment to the U.S.-Israel alliance and his approach to antisemitism. In his speech, he emphasized that “Jew-hatred is corrosive to the soul” and urged the importance of explaining the U.S.-Israel relationship to younger generations. However, when asked about his relationship with Carlson and other figures who have been linked to antisemitism, Vance’s response was seen as vague. He acknowledged that some in the room might disagree with Carlson, Megyn Kelly, or Joe Rogan, but suggested that even those with whom he disagrees—like Rogan—could be reasoned with. This left some attendees wanting more clarity, particularly about his ties to Carlson. Vance had previously been a regular guest on Carlson’s Fox News show and credited Carlson with helping him win his 2022 Senate primary in Ohio. In 2024, Carlson publicly supported Vance as a potential vice presidential candidate alongside Donald Trump. However, some Jewish conservatives were concerned that Vance’s association with Carlson—who has criticized Trump and called for his removal—might make them hesitant to support his candidacy. Critics, including major GOP donor Eric Levine, suggested Vance could have taken a stronger stance against Carlson, akin to the famous “Sister Souljah moment” when Bill Clinton distanced himself from a controversial figure. Vance’s speech was his first at an RJC leadership summit, though he had attended in 2022. It marked the first time since 2019 that a sitting president or vice president attended the conference. While Trump had faced criticism for invoking antisemitic stereotypes during his 2016 campaign, he later developed a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In contrast, figures like Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Ted Cruz have long-standing ties with pro-Israel Republicans and have been regular attendees at RJC events. Some attendees suggested that Rubio remains the favorite among the group, with Cruz potentially gaining an advantage if Rubio chooses not to run.