JD Vance’s Allies Just Called Out a “Coordinated Op” Against Him — and Claim It’s Coming From Inside the GOP

Vice President JD Vance is facing a sustained online campaign from critics within Republican circles as he is viewed as a leading contender for 2028, with his allies arguing the attacks are coordinated rather than organic.

Backers of a “Never Vance” effort have accused him of being “unfit” over his approach to Iran peace talks and claimed, without evidence, that he is pushing policies at odds with President Trump’s agenda. Some have compared him to Barack Obama or Bernie Sanders.

Vance’s team has largely dismissed the social-media barrage, saying it has not moved Republican voters. A close ally told The Washington Post that many of the attacks appear coordinated. Polling continues to show Vance’s favorability among Republicans tracking closely with Trump’s.

Much of the criticism intensified after Vance’s nearly three-hour appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast. During the interview, Vance described himself as a “reasonable moderate” on U.S.-Israel relations and said he had been targeted “in dishonest ways” by paid influencers. “You know, my response to that is, ‘Well, go to hell,’” Vance told Rogan. “I’m going to do what I have to do for the American people.”

A Washington Post analysis found criticism of Vance spiked immediately after the Rogan appearance. Commentators including Ben Shapiro and others joined the online push, alongside numerous lesser-known accounts.

Vance allies argue the campaign has failed to dent his standing. One said that if the attacks were authentic and effective, Vance’s favorability would have cratered over the past nine months — “and that just hasn’t happened.” Supporters have begun publicly pushing back, posting data showing his Republican support remaining steady.