Vance backs Epstein-Mossad conspiracy theory, angering allies in the White House

US Vice President J.D. Vance has drawn a wave of criticism from within his own political camp after endorsing an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory linking convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to Israeli intelligence during an appearance on Joe Rogan's popular podcast. The story is reported by The New York Times.

During the nearly three-hour conversation, Vance claimed that Epstein, who took his own life in prison in 2019, was supposedly connected to the "highest echelons" of Israel's Mossad, the American CIA, and the so-called "deep state" — parallel structures that allegedly control the United States. At the same time, the vice president immediately admitted that no evidence exists to support this.

Vance agreed with a theory floated by host Joe Rogan, who is himself known for popularizing conspiracy theories, suggesting that Epstein's activities and his generous financial support of American universities were tied to supposed contacts with Mossad. Explaining the lack of proof, the vice president said: "if that kind of stuff existed, by 2026 it wouldn't be around anymore" — implying that any evidence had been destroyed.

The scandal surrounding Epstein reignited after the release of documents exposing an extensive network of influential figures connected to him. The materials contain accounts of sexual abuse of minors at his various properties — including his private island Little St. James, his Palm Beach estate, the Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, and other locations — and mention prominent names such as former US President Bill Clinton, former Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump. Following the release of the documents, Andrew was stripped of his royal titles.

The New York Times notes that it is highly unusual for a senior member of the American government to spread conspiracy theories of this kind. Vance's remarks sparked sharp backlash even among Republicans and conservatives.

Former Republican Congressman Peter King called Vance's comments a dog whistle to a wing of the Republican Party that he described as "antisemitic, anti-Israel, conspiratorial, and unhinged." "You're not just some rank-and-file congressman. You're the Vice President of the United States. If you don't know what you're talking about and don't have solid facts, you'd better not undermine trust in our allies and our own intelligence agencies until you're certain of what you're saying," King said.

Prominent conservative podcaster Ben Shapiro, who is Jewish, called Vance's remarks unbecoming of the vice presidency and damaging to the core principles of conservatism. "Conservatives generally don't indulge baseless conspiracy theories, because it undermines one's sense of agency in the world," Shapiro said. Journalist Lee Smith of the Jewish-focused publication Tablet wrote that the vice president "attacked Jews by spreading unverified rumors of some dark conspiracy surrounding Epstein — rumors for which he himself has no proof."

In response to the NYT's request for comment, Vance's office provided a statement attributed to an unnamed White House official, asserting that everything the vice president said was true, and that any doubt about it was "a sign of either malice, stupidity, or both." The Israeli prime minister's office did not respond to the American newspaper's request for comment.

Vance separately brought up Epstein's long-standing friendship with former center-left Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. According to the vice president, he had always found it "interesting" that Epstein was linked to elements of the "Israeli deep state" aligned with the center-left. Barak himself says he met Epstein in 2002, visited his Manhattan home, and received around $2.3 million from a foundation tied to Epstein, along with roughly another $1 million in investments in his company. The former prime minister has said he neither witnessed nor participated in any sexual abuse and now deeply regrets ever having had contact with Epstein.

Israeli officials have repeatedly denied any formal ties between the country's government and Epstein. Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously said that Epstein's contacts with Barak do not prove he worked for Israel — if anything, they disprove it. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called claims that Epstein worked for Mossad and ran a blackmail network "an absolute lie," adding that such claims are spread by figures like American TV host Tucker Carlson, who "pretend to know things they don't actually know."

Vance himself rejected the unverified theory that the Epstein files were used to blackmail the Trump administration, and sought to present himself as a "reasonable moderate," saying he did not understand accusations of antisemitism directed at him. "I've never heard a compelling argument for why I'm antisemitic, even though a lot of people accuse me of it," the vice president concluded.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz