While political chaos swirled around the White House last week, Vice President JD Vance made a conscious decision — stay calm, stay focused, and don’t add fuel to the fire.
The tension inside the MAGA world has been rising ever since Attorney General Pam Bondi released a controversial Justice Department review claiming there was no Epstein “client list” and no additional files about his death or sex trafficking investigation.
That announcement blindsided many of Donald Trump’s most loyal supporters and sparked fierce online backlash.
While MAGA Clashes, Vance Keeps a Low Profile
Vance, known for his sharp takes and policy-driven mindset, went completely quiet on social media while the drama played out.
Instead, he kept his head down and joined President Trump in promoting the administration’s latest legislative win — the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Sources close to Vance say his silence was no accident.
The vice president was intentionally avoiding the internal brawling, choosing instead to highlight what the administration sees as real victories: ending taxes on tips and overtime, record-high markets, falling unemployment, a secure border, and rising wages.
A Small-Town Stop With No Mention of Epstein
Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance took a trip to West Pittston, Pennsylvania, this week, making a stop at a local diner where he chatted with everyday folks about sports, the military, and food.
Not one person on camera brought up Epstein or Bondi’s review.
Even as Trump drew fire for calling the Epstein list a “hoax” and scolding his base for being “duped,” Vance stayed publicly loyal.
It’s a delicate balancing act — staying in step with Trump while keeping his own political future intact.
Flashbacks to Old Tweets Haunt the VP
Of course, the internet never forgets.
Critics and supporters alike dug up Vance’s past comments about Epstein, including one post from 2021 where he blasted journalists for not asking questions about the case.
And just last year, during an interview with comedian Theo Von, Vance agreed that the Epstein list should be released.
When the clip resurfaced, Von asked online, “Yeah, what changed?” Vance didn’t reply — but the answer was obvious. His boss won the presidency.
Behind the Scenes, Vance Plays Peacekeeper
Although Vance didn’t speak out publicly, sources say he worked behind the curtain to keep the MAGA ship from sinking.
When FBI leaders like Dan Bongino and Kash Patel became furious with Bondi’s handling of the case, Vance reportedly encouraged them to stay on board and not resign.
Then came the bombshell Wall Street Journal report claiming Trump had written a birthday letter to Epstein, complete with a crude drawing.
That’s when Vance finally spoke up — not about the files, but in defense of Trump.
Defending Trump but Skipping the Firestorm
Calling the WSJ story “utter bullshit,” Vance accused the outlet of crossing ethical lines by publishing the letter without giving Trump a chance to comment.
He shared posts backing Trump’s call for full transparency on any relevant grand jury testimony, staying in line with the role of a loyal VP.
Still, some conservatives believe his silence on the broader Epstein controversy could cost him.
A Future Dilemma for 2028?
For now, Vance is playing the long game.
But political commentators, including conservative YouTubers like Clint Russell, warn that if Vance wants a real shot at the 2028 race, he’ll need to confront the Epstein issue head-on — even if it means ruffling Trump’s feathers.
As of now, the VP seems content to stay the course.
But the real question is: how long can he walk this tightrope before it snaps?