In Private Texts, J.D. Vance Reveals Crude Disdain For Ukraine

Vance’s Texts with Controversial Figure Raise Eyebrows

The day after J.D. Vance was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022, he received a congratulatory text from Charles Johnson, a blogger and entrepreneur known for promoting right-wing conspiracy theories. Johnson, who now describes himself as a government informant, took on a mentor-like role, advising Vance to be cautious with his staff selections and committee assignments. Their exchanges over the next 20 months provide insight into Vance’s candid thoughts and align with his public statements but with less polish and more profanity, as reported by The Washington Post.

Vance’s Informal Communications

The texts, sent via the encrypted app Signal, reveal Vance’s unfiltered discussions on topics ranging from America’s foreign alliances to his personal opinions on the GOP’s wealthy donors. In one instance, Vance expressed his disdain for the Ukrainian government, stating he avoided calls from its officials. “Dude I won’t even take calls from Ukraine,” he texted Johnson, illustrating his indifference to their requests for U.S. aid amid the Russian invasion.

The Relationship Between Vance and Johnson

Vance’s spokesman, William Martin, downplayed their relationship, stating that Johnson often spammed Vance with texts, which were typically ignored. However, the messages show Vance occasionally engaged with Johnson on various topics, including UFOs and Israeli politics. For example, Vance sought Johnson’s opinion on the Republican Party’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s death.

Johnson’s Controversial Background

Charles Johnson, 35, has a history of spreading conspiracy theories and faced bans on social media for his inflammatory remarks. Despite this, he claims to have provided the FBI with information about his far-right associates, arguing that his controversial connections enable him to expose wrongdoing. Johnson’s interactions with Vance reflect the senator’s tendency to engage with fringe political figures, a cohort emboldened by Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Vance’s Embrace of Fringe Figures

Vance’s texts with Johnson align with his public persona of associating with provocative figures. He has defended individuals like Alex Jones and praised far-right activist Jack Posobiec, showing his willingness to entertain unconventional beliefs. In a 2021 speech, Vance emphasized the importance of accepting people with nonconventional views, stating, “Believing crazy things is not the mark of whether somebody should be rejected.”

Internal GOP Dynamics

The texts also reveal Vance’s skepticism towards Johnson, particularly regarding Johnson’s self-presentation as a government informant. Despite these doubts, Vance valued Johnson’s opinions, debating over Israeli politics and neoconservatism. These exchanges highlight Vance’s broader political philosophy, which challenges conventional norms and resonates with many Americans, though it has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans.

Eyebrow-Raising Remarks

In their exchanges, Vance and Johnson discussed numerous topics in ways that would likely alarm many observers:

• Foreign Policy Dismissiveness: Vance’s outright refusal to engage with Ukrainian officials, dismissing their requests for help amid an ongoing invasion, illustrates a cavalier attitude towards international crises. “Dude I won’t even take calls from Ukraine,” he said, showing an indifference to their plight.
• Profane Critiques: Vance’s comments on American and Ukrainian military requests were filled with disdain. He crudely remarked on senior Ukrainian officials, saying, “Two very senior guys reached out to me. The head of their intel. The head of the Air Force. Bitching about F16s.”
• Conspiracy Theories: Vance casually inquired about various conspiracy theories, including questioning the nature of Jeffrey Epstein’s death and pondering UFOs. “What is your read on UFOs?” he asked Johnson, and in another instance, “Do you think Epstein actually killed himself?”
• Criticism of Neoconservatives: Vance’s texts often targeted neoconservative figures within his own party, displaying a clear disdain for their foreign policy approaches. He stated, “Publicly and privately not a single rep of the Israeli government has sounded as insane as our neocons.”
• Personal Attacks: Vance’s responses occasionally included personal jabs. For instance, he derided a pro-Ukraine activist, suggesting that Johnson should “have the spooks up the doses of Xanax among the rank and file,” implying that U.S. support for Ukraine was manufactured or exaggerated.

Future Implications

Vance’s candid communications with Johnson underscore his unique position within the GOP. As Trump’s vice-presidential pick, Vance’s past interactions and current views will likely continue to attract scrutiny. The texts reveal not only his off-the-cuff style but also his strategic alliances within the political fringe.