In a closed-door speech in 2021, Senator J.D. Vance, recently named by Donald Trump as his vice presidential running mate, shared his candid views with an influential group of young conservatives. Vance spoke at a gathering of the Teneo Network, an invitation-only group of conservatives supported by Leonard Leo, a key figure in cultivating conservative influence across various sectors. His speech, which was obtained by ProPublica and Documented, reveals Vance’s alignment with certain factions within the conservative and MAGA movements.
Vance’s speech touched on the contrasting worldviews offered by mainstream media and alternative figures like Alex Jones. “If you listen to Rachel Maddow every night, the basic worldview that you have is that MAGA grandmas who have family dinners on Sunday and bake apple pies for their family are about to start a violent insurrection against this country,” Vance said. In stark contrast, he noted, listening to Alex Jones would lead one to believe in a world controlled by a “transnational financial elite” with nefarious intentions.
“Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, that’s actually a hell of a lot more true than Rachel Maddow’s view of society,” Vance asserted, highlighting his belief in certain conspiracy theories.
Vance also discussed his belief in the existence of the devil, which he acknowledged might sound like a “crazy conspiracy theory” to many well-educated people. “I believe the devil is real and that he works terrible things in our society,” he stated, suggesting that this belief is part of the broader conservative struggle against societal decay.
Vance’s speech to the Teneo Network provides a glimpse into his views on various issues facing the conservative movement. He criticized the loss of corporate support for Republicans, noting that major CEOs now heavily donate to Democrats. “We now find ourselves in a situation where our biggest multinational corporations are active participants in the culture war on the other side,” he said, urging conservatives to make such companies “feel real economic pain.”
He also addressed the transgender movement, calling it a denial of basic reality, and defended his controversial tweet that Alex Jones is a more reputable source of information than Rachel Maddow. While he admitted he was “just trolling,” he stood by the substance of his remark.
Vance emphasized the importance of supporting individuals who believe in “important truths,” even if they hold unconventional or controversial views. He defended figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, arguing that their belief in certain truths outweighs any “crazy things” they might also believe.
“If the conservative movement is going to survive, it needs to speak for truth,” he said, urging attendees to embrace nonconventional people who challenge the status quo.
Senator J.D. Vance’s private speech to the Teneo Network reveals his commitment to conservative principles and his willingness to defend controversial figures and ideas. His remarks underscore his alignment with the MAGA movement and his belief in the importance of truth-telling within the conservative cause. As Trump’s vice presidential nominee, Vance’s views and connections within conservative networks like Teneo will likely play a significant role in shaping the 2024 election campaign.
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