JD Vance Says He's Fine If His Work Leads to the 'End Times'
Vice President JD Vance said he's at peace with the possibility that his political work could help usher in the "end times," telling a Christian podcast host that his focus is on doing "as much of God's work as possible right now" regardless of where that ultimately leads.
Vance made the comments during an appearance on the Bryce Crawford Podcast, hosted by 22-year-old evangelical Christian Bryce Crawford, in an episode released Monday, September 1.
What Vance Said About the End Times
Asked about eschatology, the branch of theology concerned with the end of the world, Vance said he wasn't certain whether current events signal humanity is living in the end times, but acknowledged the state of the world gives him pause. "I think that there are like, things about the world that make me feel like not shocked if the Antichrist was walking among us," he said.
Vance added that he tries not to dwell on the subject too much, saying, "while I'm fascinated by it, focusing on it, too much of it can be very bad." He said he tries instead to stay grounded in his responsibilities. "I gotta be good to my wife. I gotta be good to my kids. I have to be as good of a leader as I can for the United States." The comments reflect a tension Vance seemed to acknowledge throughout the conversation, between his personal fascination with biblical prophecy and his stated desire not to let that fascination distract from his day-to-day obligations as a husband, father, and the country's second-highest elected official.
"If That Leads to the End Times, OK"
The vice president then turned to the comment that drew the most attention, framing his approach to his role in explicitly religious terms. "What I'm trying to focus on is doing as much of God's work as possible right now," Vance said. "And if that leads to the end times, ok."
Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019, and has spoken publicly about his faith shaping his approach to politics and public life. He is also a former protege of Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel, who has himself lectured on the theological concept of the Antichrist. Thiel's own public musings on apocalyptic themes have drawn scrutiny in the past, and Vance's comments on the same podcast are likely to invite similar comparisons given how closely the two men's political and business circles have overlapped over the years.
A Notable Moment Amid a Busy News Cycle
The remarks landed as the White House juggled a packed slate of foreign and domestic issues, including relations with Russia and Iran, questions over voting rights, and ongoing domestic political divisions, making the vice president's theological musings a striking departure from the administration's usual messaging.
The comments quickly circulated online, with one podcaster reacting to the clip by saying, "Show this clip to anyone who says Iran is run by religious lunatics," a jab suggesting Vance's remarks blurred the line between American and international religious rhetoric in politics.
Vance has become an increasingly vocal messenger for conservative Christian audiences since taking office, regularly appearing on faith-focused podcasts and framing his political mission through a religious lens. It's a pattern that echoes his willingness to wade into other charged public moments, including his public criticism of Jimmy Kimmel's return monologue earlier in his vice presidency. The Bryce Crawford interview marks one of his more direct statements yet connecting his day-to-day work in the administration to broader questions of faith and prophecy.
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