What happened
Vice President JD Vance has been attempting to triangulate on the issue of Israel, positioning himself as a moderate between pro-Israel and anti-Israel factions within the MAGA movement. Vance has reaffirmed Israel's status as a valued US ally while also disavowing anything more, in an effort to placate both sides. However, his rhetoric has been criticized for echoing anti-Semitic tropes and groypers' talking points about America's subservience to the Jewish state.
The MAGA movement is facing a challenge in its coalition, with some members holding strongly pro-Israel views and others holding anti-Israel views. The movement's ability to triangulate on this issue is seen as crucial to its survival, but it is unclear whether this is possible given the strong feelings on both sides. The debate over Israel is also seen as a proxy for a larger war over white Christian nationalism, with some members of the MAGA movement sympathetic to this ideology.
According to some experts, triangulation is not possible on moral issues like Israel, as neither side views the middle as reasonable. Instead, the MAGA movement should lead with conviction, courage, and moral clarity, focusing on America First outcomes that appeal to voters. The movement's popularity was initially built on this approach, and it is seen as the key to its success.
