JD Vance rips Trump critics and defends Iran war to 'black-pilled' Megyn Kelly fans in fiery exchange

By CHARLIE SPIERING, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 22:17, 16 June 2026 | Updated: 22:19, 16 June 2026 Vice President JD Vance fired back at critics of President Donald Trump's peace deal, accusing them of spreading 'Iranian propaganda.' 'It is kind of ironic that they're really really worried about stopping this thing when they were so gung-ho about starting this thing,' he said in an interview with Megyn Kelly on Tuesday, referring to the Iran war. The three and a half month long conflict may be ending soon as President Trump and Iranian leaders have agreed to a peace deal expected to be signed at a ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Geneva, Switzerland.  Full details of the deal have not been released but the deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, require Iran to halt uranium enrichment and dismantle their nuclear sites in exchange for the return of frozen financial assets.  But even Vance expressed some skepticism that all was finalized to end the war.  'We don't trust our allies, we don't trust our foes, we trust action. That's what we have to anchor ourselves to,' he said. Kelly was vocally critical of the President's decision to go to war in February, prompting Trump to dismiss her and other critics of the war of being 'not MAGA.'  Critics of the deal were angry that Vance appeared on Kelly's show after she criticized the President for starting the war in Iran in the first place. Vice President JD Vance kicked off a book tour that coincided with the newly agreed upon peace deal in Iran Vice President JD Vance defended President Donald Trump decision to make a deal with Iran  But Vance said he personally spoke with Trump about his upcoming appearance with Kelly, promising to defend his Iran peace deal on the show. 'Absolutely, I love that,' Vance said that Trump replied to him. News of a peace deal with Iran has angered supporters of the war.  Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen described the deal as 'a complete disaster,' Fox News contributor Ben Domenech who described it as a 'hillbilly Obama' deal, and radio show host Mark Levin for criticizing the deal.  Conservative journalist John Podhoretz said he believed Trump 'chickened out' and 'choked' on the war, asserting that he should be more willing to put 'boots on the ground' and deal with high gas prices to get a better deal.  Vance said that opponents of the peace deal were spreading 'misinformation' about the deal. 'It is kind of ironic that they're really, really worried about stopping this thing when they were so gung-ho about starting this thing,' Vance said about the war.  'Why do they believe Iranian propaganda only about one thing, the peace deal?' he added. 'If you're in the position of endorsing Iranian propaganda only when it's related to the peace deal, then maybe you should check yourself a little bit and question your sources,' he continued. Vance added that oil prices were already down after Trump announce the peace deal, which he says would lower the cost of gas for American consumers. US President Donald Trump (R) and Vice President JD Vance (L) are seen in the Situation Room of the White House Megyn Kelly challenged JD Vance after the President said his supporters were 'not MAGA' for opposing his war in Iran  'They're proposing endless conflict, they want this to go on until every bomb has been dropped or every Iranian is dead. That is not what the President wants,' Vance said. The Vice President argued that while Americans broadly support keeping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, deal opponents have offered no concrete alternative.  'They're not actually dealing with the reality and they don't have an answer,' he said. Vance also turned on anti-war critics who declared themselves 'out' and 'black-pilled' on Trump, calling the stance 'very immature.'  'You have to stay engaged in the process,' he said. 'The reason neocons are so much more effective in politics is because they play the game.' The exchange grew pointed when Kelly noted that she and fellow war critics were told by Trump himself they were 'not MAGA' after pushing back on him and Mark Levin. Vance defended the President, saying Trump always hit back at critics, before adding bluntly: 'It's completely ridiculous to pick up your marbles and go home.' Despite the divisions, Vance said he remained optimistic.  'I'm fundamentally an optimist about these things,' he said, citing support for the process among Middle East leaders. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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