Leaked Texts Reveal JD Vance's Refusal to Engage with Ukraine’s Officials

Leaked JD Vance texts, Trump’s running mate, show his unwillingness to communicate with Ukrainian officials, The Washington Post reports.

American blogger Charles Johnson, known for promoting right-wing conspiracy theories, leaked his texts on Signal with JD Vance, US former President Donald Trump’s running mate and Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election, to The Washington Post.

In the correspondence, JD Vance harshly conveyed his antagonism towards the Ukrainian government and his refusal to consider its request for support from the US.

“Dude I won’t even take calls from Ukraine,” he told Johnson in October, roughly three weeks after House Republicans had blocked additional aid intended to help Ukraine defend against the Russian invasion. “Two very senior guys reached out to me. The head of their intel. The head of the Air Force. Bitching about F16s.”

In response to inquiries about his correspondence with Johnson, Vance spokesman William Martin stated that the two were never close and had differing political views. 

“Chuck Johnson spam texted JD Vance,” Martin said. “JD usually ignored him, but occasionally responded to push back against things he said.

After Trump selected Vance as his running mate on July 15, Johnson began criticizing him and threatening to release their communications. Johnson has expressed growing disillusionment with Vance, particularly over the senator's positive stance towards the Israeli prime minister. He now supports President Biden and Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

In recent years, Johnson has shared information with the FBI about some of his associates and asserts that his connections to far-right circles have enabled him to uncover misconduct and serve the public interest. 

He stated, “While my associations may be controversial, they have granted me access to some of the most fringe spaces. However, my commitment to our country remains unwavering.”