Vice President JD Vance has sparked controversy by endorsing conspiracy theories linking convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to 'highest levels' of Israeli intelligence during an interview with podcast host Joe Rogan.

The remarks, which suggest Epstein had connections to Mossad, have drawn accusations of anti-Semitism and undermined trust in US intelligence agencies.

While Vance acknowledged no conclusive evidence exists to prove Epstein was an intelligence asset, his comments align with right-wing narratives promoted by figures like Tucker Carlson.Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have rejected these claims, emphasizing they lack substantiation.Critics argue the remarks damage conservative credibility and risk alienating allies.Prominent Jewish voices, such as Ben Shapiro and Tablet magazine, have condemned the statements as baseless and harmful to Israel's reputation.Vance's office defended the comments, calling them 'true,' but failed to clarify their implications.The episode highlights tensions within US politics over conspiracy theories, anti-Semitism accusations, and foreign policy alignment.