Vice President Vance sat down with podcaster Joe Rogan on Wednesday for a nearly three-hour interview covering everything from Iran policy to the Epstein files and the role of religion in schools. The appearance marked Vance’s second time on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” following a pre-election appearance in October 2024.
Vance Accuses Israeli Officials of Manipulating US Opinion on Iran
Vance told Rogan that some officials within the Israeli government are actively working to keep the war with Iran going indefinitely. He specifically cited efforts to “manipulate and change American public opinion” to sustain the conflict without a clear objective. The vice president defended Trump’s decision to launch strikes on Iran as independent of Israeli influence.
“There are some people within their system, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” Vance said. “Again, not towards any objective, but just indefinitely.” He acknowledged that social media campaigns and talking points from foreign actors do influence American discourse, but he stopped short of naming any specific country.
The remarks come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially said the US struck Iran because of a threat to Israel, then later backtracked, calling the strikes necessary regardless. The New York Times reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed the joint attack in the White House Situation Room.
For more on Vance’s broader accusations, see our earlier report: Vance Accuses Israeli Officials of Orchestrating Campaign Against Iran Deal.
White House ‘Screwed Up’ Epstein Files Communication
Vance was blunt about the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein documents. “We absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files,” he admitted. But he pushed back against suggestions that the administration was hiding anything, saying the mishandling was a communications failure, not a cover-up.
The vice president criticized former Attorney General Pam Bondi for overstating what the Justice Department had. “I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment. I think she overstated what we had and what we didn’t have. And I think that she got roasted for it publicly by a lot of people, including me.” Rogan pressed Vance on whether Trump might be blackmailed by wealthy Epstein associates, but Vance dismissed the idea: “That’s not true, dude.”
This isn’t the first time Vance has addressed the Epstein file controversy. Read more in our piece: Vance Admits Epstein Files Communication 'Screwed Up' in Rogan Interview.
Ten Commandments in Schools: A Clash of Views
Rogan and Vance sparred over the push to display the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Rogan, citing a recent interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, argued that mandating the Ten Commandments amounts to “forcing your religion onto other people’s lives.” Vance countered that the Ten Commandments are a foundational element of Western law and civilization, and that displaying them doesn’t force religion on anyone.
“If you’re going to do that, why not put Buddhist scripture?” Rogan asked. Vance responded by emphasizing the Christian faith of the Founding Fathers, but also offered a secular argument: “This idea that the law comes in above any man, even if you don’t believe in God yourself, I think that’s an important concept.” The discussion highlighted a broader debate over the role of religion in public life, with Vance arguing that religion has largely been pushed out of the public square.
Michelle Obama Remark Sparks Debate
Rogan brought up a controversial moment at the White House’s “Freedom 250 UFC” event, where fighter Josh Hokit said, “Michelle Obama is a man, am I right America?” Vance laughed off the remark, calling the reaction “totally disproportionate.” He noted that Hokit was playing a character and that people say things all the time. Rogan agreed it wasn’t “the best thing to say at the White House,” but Vance insisted the outrage was overblown.
Broader Context
The interview comes as the Trump administration pushes forward with its agenda on multiple fronts. On Capitol Hill, the House Budget Panel recently advanced a slimmed-down reconciliation package, while Vance has been urging House Republicans to end internal stalemates and pass Trump’s priorities. Meanwhile, the administration’s Iran policy remains a flashpoint, with bipartisan senators striking a deal on Russia sanctions and Trump’s shadow looming over the 2028 GOP primary.
