JD Vance says Marco Rubio is 'a colleague, not a rival' after ‘Jesus’ joke backlash

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance spoke publicly amid growing speculation of a rift with Secretary of State Marco Rubio after a controversial “Jesus” joke sparked criticism among conservatives and reignited questions about Republican unity.

The remark, which circulated widely online, drew backlash from some GOP voters who viewed it as inappropriate. As debate intensified, attention shifted from the joke itself to whether it had exposed deeper personal or political tensions between two of the party’s most prominent figures.

JD Vance calls Marco Rubio a colleague, not a rival

JD Vance addressed the rumors during a Fox News appearance with Sean Hannity, firmly rejecting the idea that he views Marco Rubio as a political rival. 

“I don’t feel like that at all,” Vance said. “If Marco eventually runs for president, then we can cross that bridge when we come to it.”

He expanded on the point, emphasizing that speculation about future campaigns was premature. “People have asked me, ‘Do you see Marco as a rival?’ And first of all, if either of us end up running, it’s a long way in the future, and neither of us is entitled to it,” he said. “So I think it would be ridiculous for me to say Marco is a rival. No, Marco is a colleague.”

During a separate exchange with reporters, Vance again pushed back on the narrative of rivalry, urging media outlets to focus on policy and leadership rather than personalities.

“We need to focus on ideas and leadership qualities, not on jokes that misrepresent our values,” he said. “I am focused on the country and its future, and I believe voters deserve honesty from all candidates competing for this critical role."

How the ‘Jesus’ joke triggered backlash

Vance’s comments followed his appearance on ‘The Katie Miller Podcast,’ where host Katie Miller repeatedly questioned him about Rubio, including asking him to share the funniest joke Rubio had ever told.

Vance recalled what began as a serious discussion about the Middle East before Rubio abruptly shifted gears. According to Vance, Rubio described a constituent who had called seeking help after her husband died while visiting Israel, only to later say she planned to leave the body there.

Rubio then joked that the last person who died there rose from the dead three days later, a reference to Jesus. Vance said he initially did not realize the story was meant as humor.

“I didn’t know until the very end that it was a totally bulls**t joke,” Vance said, adding that the reaction online was far more intense than he anticipated.

JD Vance and Marco Rubio emerge in 2028 speculation

As discussion grows about potential 2028 presidential contenders, recent foreign policy events have added fuel to the conversation. The US strike on Venezuela, while primarily framed as a law enforcement operation, placed both JD Vance and Marco Rubio under heightened scrutiny.

Reporters pressed President Donald Trump to name a favorite between the two, but he declined. When asked whether Rubio currently held more influence than Vance, Trump responded, “No. They both do.” He went on to praise both men, calling Vance “very smart” and saying Rubio was also “doing a great job,” adding, “I’d say equal.”

Following the Venezuela operation, Rubio made multiple media appearances defending the strike, describing it as an effort to counter Nicolás Maduro’s ties to Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, and China. Trump continued to publicly praise both officials.

The episode also appeared to shift political betting markets. According to Polymarket, Marco Rubio’s presidential odds rose from 4 percent to 7 percent. JD Vance remained the frontrunner at 31 percent, followed by Gavin Newsom at 18 percent and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 8 percent.