Vice President JD Vance's allies and advisers are dismissing social media attacks claiming the vice president makes policy decisions not supported by President Donald Trump, arguing the criticism is a coordinated effort designed to weaken the Republican front-runner for the 2028 GOP presidential nomination.

According to The Washington Post, Vance's advisers believe the recent wave of "Never Vance" attacks is largely manufactured and has failed to damage his standing among Republican voters, despite intensifying after his interview with podcast host Joe Rogan.

The criticism has centered on Vance's more restrained approach to U.S. involvement in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran, with some detractors falsely claiming he is pursuing policies at odds with Trump.

A close Vance ally told the newspaper the attacks are "totally inauthentic" and likely coordinated, noting the vice president's approval ratings among Republicans remain closely aligned with Trump's.

Steve Cortes, a conservative commentator and Vance supporter, dismissed the criticism as coming from establishment voices rather than grassroots Republicans.

"Loud Washington establishment voices form an online cacophony, but they do not remotely represent the consensus views of Republican voters," Cortes told the newspaper.

The Post reported Vance's advisers believe the attacks could actually strengthen him politically by reinforcing his image as a populist willing to challenge the foreign policy orthodoxy embraced by some establishment Republicans.

During his July 15 appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, Vance described himself as a "reasonable moderate" on U.S.-Israel policy and blasted what he characterized as dishonest attacks from paid influencers.

"I'm going to do what I have to do for the American people," Vance said. "I represent Americans first."

The criticism intensified afterward, with prominent conservative commentators and online influencers attacking Vance's foreign policy views.

Some social media accounts promoting Secretary of State Marco Rubio for president in 2028 appeared to originate outside the United States, according to the Post.

Trump has acknowledged that Vance is "philosophically a little bit different" from him regarding Iran and may be "less enthusiastic" about military action.

However, the president has also emphasized that Vance has publicly supported his decisions on the conflict.

A spokesman for the vice president told the Post that Vance remains focused solely on advancing Trump's agenda rather than responding to social media attacks.

Meanwhile, a recent Emerson College poll showed Vance's lead atop the prospective 2028 Republican field had narrowed significantly.

The survey found Vance received 39% support among GOP primary voters, just one point ahead of Rubio at 38%, after Vance led Rubio by 32 points in February.

Despite the tightening race, Vance's allies insist the attacks have not translated into a meaningful decline in support among Republican voters and argue his populist, "America First" message remains closely aligned with Trump's political movement.