As political tensions rise in Trump’s camp over the lingering controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, Vice President JD Vance is carefully staying on the sidelines.
While the MAGA movement wrestles with internal conflict, Vance has chosen a quieter, more calculated approach.
Silence Amidst the Storm
Instead of diving into the heated arguments that erupted online following the DOJ’s latest review of the Epstein case, Vance opted for restraint.
The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, released findings after Independence Day denying the existence of an Epstein “client list” and closing the door on further investigations into his death and past crimes.
That revelation shocked many Trump supporters and triggered a wave of anger and suspicion.
Vance, however, stayed unusually quiet—especially for someone known for his outspoken views.
While others fueled the fire online, he didn’t post a single comment.
That silence, according to insiders, was a strategic decision.
Staying on Message in Pennsylvania
In the middle of the week, Vance made a scheduled stop in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, bringing the press along for the ride.
But even as reporters waited eagerly to ask about the infighting and the Epstein fallout, he declined to engage.
That wasn’t by accident.
Sources close to the vice president told the Daily Mail that Vance is intentionally focusing on the administration’s policy accomplishments.
“He’s following President Trump’s lead,” one source explained.
“They’re focused on highlighting wins—like ending taxes on tips and overtime, record highs in the stock market, lower unemployment claims, and stronger wages.”
A Diner Visit with a Different Tone
Later that day, Vance and his wife Usha visited a local diner.
The cameras followed, but the Epstein issue didn’t come up.
Instead, the conversation was light—football, food, and support for the military.
Vance greeted customers, shook hands, and quietly picked up a takeaway order.
This low-key public appearance was a stark contrast to the online chaos, where MAGA loyalists were beginning to turn on each other—and on Trump—for brushing aside Epstein-related concerns.
The Loyalty Dilemma Every VP Faces
Vice presidents often walk a fine line—especially when they have ambitions beyond their current role.
And Vance is no exception.
Trump, no longer concerned with reelection, has dismissed the Epstein discourse and even criticized supporters for falling into what he calls a “Democrat trap.”
Vance, on the other hand, still has a political future to think about.
And for now, that means staying loyal to Trump, even if it costs him credibility among some of his base.
Old Tweets Come Back to Haunt Him
But the internet never forgets.
Social media users quickly dug up old Vance posts and clips, including one from 2021 where he slammed journalists for not asking tough questions about Epstein.
“What purpose do you even serve?” he raged back then.
Even more damning, an October 2024 podcast clip resurfaced, where Vance agreed with Theo Von’s call to “release the list.”
That same Von now asked his millions of followers, “Yeah, what changed?”
The question still hangs in the air—Vance hasn’t replied.
Behind the Scenes, He’s Still Moving
While Vance has stayed quiet publicly, sources say he’s been working behind the scenes to calm the storm.
After the DOJ report, top law enforcement officials like Dan Bongino and Kash Patel were reportedly ready to quit in protest.
Vance personally urged them to stay, trying to prevent the administration from tearing itself apart.
Then came a shift.
The Wall Street Journal published claims that Trump had once written Epstein a birthday letter featuring an obscene sketch.
That was Vance’s moment to act.
Pouncing on the Media Over Trump Letter Allegation
Vance immediately jumped to Trump’s defense, calling the story “complete and utter bullshit.”
He criticized the Journal for running with the letter without giving Trump a chance to respond.
“Doesn’t it violate some rule of journalistic ethics?” he asked publicly.
He then reposted a celebratory reaction from Donald Trump Jr., who announced the president had ordered the release of any grand jury testimony related to Epstein.
That move allowed Vance to reassert his loyalty without directly clashing with supporters who were growing more suspicious.
Carefully Walking the Tightrope
Vance played the role of a loyal vice president perfectly—standing firm behind the president while avoiding direct attacks on MAGA voters who felt betrayed. But that balancing act may not hold forever.
His past advocacy for transparency in the Epstein case is still fresh in the minds of many.
And now that he’s silent when it matters most, critics are questioning whether he’s abandoned those principles.
Political Fallout Looms
Clint Russell, a conservative commentator based in Miami, summed it up: “If JD Vance has any hope in 2028, he’s going to need to put distance between himself and the Epstein debacle.”
But that’s easier said than done.
Loyalty is currency in Trump’s world, and Vance is clearly still spending it.
Whether that investment pays off—or leaves him politically bankrupt—remains to be seen.