Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro criticized Vice President J.D. Vance this week over remarks made during a recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” arguing that Vance embraced policy positions that diverge from traditional Republican principles.
Shapiro first voiced his criticism Thursday in a post on social media after listening to Vance’s nearly three-hour interview with Rogan.
“I tuned into Joe Rogan yesterday and heard Bernie Sanders’ economics, Barack Obama’s foreign policy, and Ro Khanna’s conspiracy theories,” Shapiro wrote. “And then I realized JD Vance was talking. I want a candidate in 2028 who doesn’t mirror the Democrats — and who can win.”
He concluded the post by adding, “Mr. VP, this is not the way.”
Shapiro expanded on those remarks during an episode of his online program later that day, where he praised Vance personally before criticizing what he described as the vice president’s policy positions.
Shapiro described Vance as “charming and articulate” and said he is “a very nice person.” He also complimented Second Lady Usha Vance.
He then questioned whether the Republican Party should move in the direction he believes Vance outlined during the podcast interview.
“Would we like a Republican Party that is essentially a horseshoe Democratic Party?” Shapiro asked. “Because that’s kind of what the VP sounded like on Joe Rogan.”
Shapiro said he supports Republican candidates who both oppose Democratic policy priorities and are capable of winning national elections.
“I’m looking to support candidates who, number one, actually oppose Democratic policies, and two, can also win,” he said.
The conservative commentator argued that Vance’s comments reflected support for greater government intervention in the economy and skepticism toward traditional free-market principles.
He also criticized what he characterized as Vance’s broader worldview, calling portions of the interview “weird and concerning.”
Vance appeared on Rogan’s podcast Wednesday for his second interview with the host. The discussion covered a wide range of issues, including U.S. foreign policy, the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the conflict involving Iran and media coverage of national political issues.
During the interview, Vance suggested that some Israeli officials favored continuing tensions with Iran and were attempting to influence American public opinion.
“There are some people within their system… who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” Vance said during the interview.
The vice president’s remarks generated discussion among conservative commentators, with some praising his willingness to challenge longstanding foreign policy assumptions while others questioned his positions, per Trending Politics.
Despite Shapiro’s criticism, Vance remains widely viewed as one of the leading contenders for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.
President Donald Trump recently praised both Vance and Rubio during an appearance on the Pod Force One podcast, saying he liked “them both” and adding that he liked “them together.”
Trump has also suggested the possibility of Vance and Rubio appearing together on a future Republican presidential ticket, though no decisions regarding the 2028 election have been announced.
