Politics
WATCH: JD Vance Doubles Down On European Critiques Right To UK Prime Minister’s Face
Vice President JD Vance isn’t backing down on his criticisms of European free speech policies—even when standing face-to-face with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office.
Following his remarks at the Munich Security Conference, where he condemned restrictions on speech in the UK, Vance reiterated his stance during a high-profile meeting with Starmer. The exchange, which took place in front of reporters, highlighted growing tensions between the U.S. and one of its closest allies over fundamental rights.
“I said what I said,” Vance explained when prompted by President Donald Trump to elaborate on his Munich comments. “We do have, of course, a special relationship with our friends in the UK and also with some of our European allies.”
“But we also know that there have been infringements on free speech that actually affect not just the British… but also American technology companies and, by extension, American citizens,” Vance continued.
Starmer, clearly pushing back, defended the UK’s record, stating, “We’ve had free speech for a very, very long time in the United Kingdom, and it will last for a very, very long time.”
WATCH:
Vance’s comments in Munich had drawn criticism from European leaders, but he stood firm, warning that free speech crackdowns in Britain don’t just impact UK citizens—they have broader consequences for U.S.-based tech firms and the global digital landscape. His remarks come as concerns grow over increasing censorship in Western democracies, with critics pointing to cases where individuals have faced legal repercussions for social media posts or public statements deemed offensive under UK law.
Two weeks ago Vance launched a fervent critique of European democracies, spending much of his time targeting European governments, including that of the UK. He criticized them for abandoning core values and neglecting public concerns about migration and free speech.
Reiterating a stance familiar from the Trump era, Vance emphasized the necessity for Europe to “step up in a big way to provide for its own defense.”
Vance also voiced concerns over the freedoms of religious groups in Britain, claiming that their “basic liberties” are increasingly compromised according to BBC. He championed the fundamental democratic principle that the populace’s voice is crucial. “Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters,” Vance said. “There’s no room for firewalls. You either uphold the principle or you don’t.”
Further addressing the resilience of democratic institutions, Vance remarked at the conference, “If your democracy can be destroyed with a few $100,000 of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with.”
In recent months, the United Kingdom has grappled with significant debates and incidents concerning free speech. In November 2024, journalist Allison Pearson faced a police investigation over a year-old social media post, sparking widespread discussions about the boundaries of free expression and law enforcement’s role in monitoring online content.
The incident drew criticism from various public figures, including Elon Musk and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
