Allies of Vice President J.D. Vance have forcefully pushed back against a wave of criticism from right-wing figures, claiming the attacks are not only fake but carefully coordinated to derail his potential 2028 presidential campaign. The allegations emerged after a July 24 report from The Washington Post highlighted a sudden spike in conservative criticism following Vance's recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
The Joe Rogan Appearance and the Fallout
During the podcast, which is one of the most listened-to in the world, Vance described himself as a “moderate,” expressed skepticism about the United States' relationship with Israel, and admitted that the Trump administration had mishandled the release of the Epstein files. The remarks immediately drew fire from prominent conservative voices including Marc Thiessen, Ben Shapiro, and Batya Ungar-Sargon, each of whom took to social media or cable news to express disappointment. Fox News hosts Tomi Lahren and Lawrence Jones also criticized Vance on air, with Jones stating, “That’s not what the president stands for. So that was disappointing. He’s always welcome on our program to talk about it, but being moderate when it comes to Israel, that is not the Republican position.”
Vance Allies Cry Foul
Those close to Vance, who spoke on condition of anonymity, argue that the critiques are anything but spontaneous. One ally told The Washington Post that it should be “obvious to anyone with an IQ above 70” that the backlash is “totally inauthentic and probably coordinated to a certain extent.” The unnamed sources further claimed the criticism is part of a broader plot to “poison the well” against Vance ahead of a 2028 presidential bid, and that the real aim is to boost the prospects of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is considered Vance's most likely Republican rival.
Evidence of Coordination?
The theory gained traction when the Post's Natalie Allison reviewed the X profiles of several anti-Vance, pro-Rubio posters. She found that many “strongly suggested they aren’t American voters and are based in other countries.” While the Post did not definitively prove the criticisms are part of a coordinated campaign, the findings added fuel to the narrative that foreign or bot accounts are being used to manufacture negative sentiment against Vance. Earlier in July, Axios published a piece claiming President Trump had already anointed Vance as his preferred successor, and quoted insiders who said Rubio “wasn’t planning to run anyway.” However, some observers suggested that Axios might have been trying to boost Vance in the proverbial horse race. The Daily Beast noted that Axios had been giving outsized coverage to Vance’s supposed momentum heading into 2028.
Historical Context: Coordinated Attacks in Modern Politics
The concept of coordinated online backlash is not new. Political campaigns and outside groups have long used social media to amplify criticism or support. In the 2016 election, for example, Russian-backed accounts targeted candidates from both parties. More recently, conservatives have accused left-wing groups of orchestrating astroturfing campaigns. Vance's allies argue that the same tactic is now being deployed against him from within the right. The fact that the criticism came after a controversial podcast interview—and that it coincided with renewed speculation about Rubio's own ambitions—makes the timing particularly suspicious.
Vance himself has not publicly responded to the criticism, though aides say he remains focused on his vice presidential duties. The 41-year-old former senator from Ohio was a surprise pick for Trump’s running mate in 2024, and he has since become a key figure in the administration’s policy pushes, especially on trade, immigration, and technological regulation.
Who Is Behind the Criticism?
While the named critics—Thiessen, Shapiro, Ungar-Sargon—are established conservative commentators, Vance's team argues that their sudden alignment indicates a behind-the-scenes effort. Thiessen is a former George W. Bush speechwriter and a columnist who has been critical of populist tendencies; Shapiro is a well-known radio host and co-founder of The Daily Wire; Ungar-Sargon is a journalist and editor formerly with The Forward and now with Newsweek. All three have differing ideological stances, making the unified critique of Vance noteworthy. Additionally, Fox News personalities Lahren and Jones have vast reach among conservative viewers.
Some allies have even floated the possibility that Rubio’s network is directly involved, though no public evidence has been provided. Rubio has not commented on the matter, and his office declined to respond to inquiries about any possible coordination.
The 2028 Stakes
With Trump ineligible to run again after 2028, the Republican primary will be wide open. Vance, as vice president, is a natural inheritor of Trump’s base, but Rubio, a two-time presidential candidate and current secretary of state, also has name recognition, donor connections, and foreign policy credentials. The earlier Axios report about Trump anointing Vance may have been premature, but it signaled that the VP is seen as the frontrunner. However, the recent criticism could erode that advantage, especially among the grassroots who prioritize ideological purity on issues like Israel.
Vance's allies are determined to counter the narrative. They have begun pointing to the foreign origins of some critical accounts as evidence of a smear campaign. Meanwhile, Trump has remained silent publicly on the dispute, though aides say he has not signaled any displeasure with Vance.
The intersection of online propaganda, factional intra-party rivalries, and the jockeying for the 2028 nomination creates a volatile mix. Whether the criticism is genuine or manufactured, it has already succeeded in putting Vance on the defensive and casting doubt on his political instincts—exactly what his allies claim the coordinators intended. As the 2028 cycle approaches, every move by potential candidates will be scrutinized, and the Vance camp is clearly preparing for a long, messy battle.
Source: MSN News