Vice President JD Vance said Monday he will not endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection bid, putting him at odds with President Donald Trump, who publicly backed Netanyahu a day earlier.
Speaking with Mark Halperin on “2WAY Tonight,” Vance said his attention is on American races ahead of the midterms, not foreign contests.
“The president has the most effective endorsement in American or international political history,” Vance said. “I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on in the midterms. So I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.”
Vance was careful to frame his position as neutral rather than a rebuke of Netanyahu.
“I’m not anti-endorsing him. I’m not pro-endorsing him. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections,” he added.
The remarks followed a lengthy Truth Social post from Trump a day earlier granting Netanyahu his “Complete and Total Endorsement” ahead of the Israeli leader’s upcoming race for prime minister.
“Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote. “Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Netanyahu responded on social media, thanking Trump for the show of support.
“President Trump, my friend Donald — thank you for your extraordinary endorsement,” Netanyahu said. “Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran’s regime get nuclear weapons. Thank you for your clarity, courage and unwavering support.”
Vance’s hands-off stance marks a shift from earlier this year, when he traveled to Hungary in April and campaigned alongside then-Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who went on to lose his reelection bid, according to Politico.
Fox News Digital reported it could not immediately reach the White House for comment.
