Nikki Haley Slams JD Vance for Trying To Play Both Sides, Demanding He Pick Between Israel and the Tucker Carlson Wing of the GOP
Questionable loyalties.
Nikki Haley just called out J.D. Vance for trying to straddle two opposing sides of the Republican Party, demanding he pick between Israel and the Tucker Carlson faction. In a pointed social media post on September 1, 2026, Haley accused Vance of refusing to take a clear stance, writing, “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.”
Haley, who ran for the GOP presidential nomination last year, didn’t hold back. According to The Hill, she reinforced her point with a quote from Elie Wiesel, the Nobel Prize-winning Holocaust survivor, who famously said in his 1986 acceptance speech, “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.” Her message was clear – Vance’s attempts to appeal to both sides weren’t just weak but also morally indefensible.
Vance has spent years walking a tightrope on Israel. While he’s remained loyal to pro-Israel Republicans, including the President, his past comments have raised eyebrows. In a July podcast with former TV host and UFC Commentator Joe Rogan, Vance suggested there are figures in the Israeli government trying to “manipulate” and “change” U.S. public opinion on the war in Iran. That kind of rhetoric doesn’t exactly scream unwavering support.
It’s left many wondering where Vance really stands
Then there’s his connection to Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host who’s become a lightning rod in Republican circles. Carlson faced heavy criticism from GOP leaders after hosting Nick Fuentes, a far-right commentator and Holocaust denier, on his show. Vance has never disavowed Carlson, even as Jewish Republicans question why he’d associate with someone tied to such toxic figures.
The Media Line reports that at Monday night’s Republican Jewish Coalition summit, Vance reportedly tried to distance himself from Fuentes, calling him someone “who really does hate Jews.” But that didn’t stop critics from grilling him over his ties to Carlson, who’s been accused of pushing antisemitic tropes in his coverage of Israel.
Vance’s appearance at the summit was supposed to clarify his position, but it only seemed to muddy the waters further. He told attendees that Republicans need to do a better job explaining why the U.S.-Israel relationship benefits America.
“I think my view is what we have to do is articulate why this is in the best interest of the United States of America and actually get out there and talk about the ways in which it is in the best interest of the United States of America,” he said. It was a safe, diplomatic answer, but it didn’t address the real issue – why he’s still cozy with Carlson’s crowd while trying to win over pro-Israel voters.
The vice president also acknowledged the “elephant in the room”
He was referring to the growing skepticism about Israel among younger Americans. “There is a growing suspicion among, I would call it under 40s, of the US-Israel relationship,” he admitted. His solution? A stronger pitch about shared cultural values between the U.S. and Israel.
“There’s a much deeper cultural symbiosis and harmony between the United States and countries like Israel and the United Kingdom than with other allies,” he argued. It’s a valid point, but it doesn’t erase the fact that his past comments and associations have left many pro-Israel Republicans unconvinced.
Vance’s defenders say his stance aligns with Trump’s, who praised the memorandum of understanding Vance helped broker with Iran while also expressing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But that’s a tough sell for some Jewish Republicans, who see Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a far more reliable ally.
New York City radio host Sid Rosenberg, a Trump supporter, put it bluntly: “There’s no question with the Jewish people whether or not Marco Rubio loves us. A lot of questions about JD. The bottom line is, if you’re close to Tucker Carlson, the real Jews, they want no part of you.”
The pressure on Vance is more because of his political future
With the 2028 presidential race looming, he’s going to have to make some hard choices. Haley’s post was a direct challenge, forcing him to confront the contradictions in his record. If he wants to win over the pro-Israel wing of the GOP, he’ll need to do more than just talk about cultural harmony. He’ll need to cut ties with the figures who’ve made his loyalty suspect in the first place.
For now, Vance is trying to have it both ways, but that’s not a sustainable strategy. Haley’s take that you can’t be pro-Israel and cozy up to Carlson’s crowd at the same time has merit in Vance’s case. The question is, which side will he ultimately choose? His answer could define his political career.
(Featured images: Gage Skidmore)
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