J.D. Vance's Dismissal of Watergate Is an Indictment of the Modern GOP
June 26, 2026
President Donald Trump’s corruption is so pervasive that the types of scandals that once would have toppled — or at least threatened — the stability of a presidency barely register as a blip in the news cycle. J.D. Vance likes it this way, and is now trying to retroactively apply the low standard across history.
While promoting his new book on Thursday, the vice president claimed that Richard Nixon, the only American president ever to resign from office in the face of a scandal, was experiencing a “renaissance.”
“If Watergate happened tomorrow, it would be like a 12-hour news story. The idea that it would have taken down a presidency is crazy,” Vance mused during a talk at the Richard Nixon Foundation in Yorba Linda, California. He went on to claim that the way the “deep state” had taken down Nixon was “not all that different from what the same groups of people, the same institutions tried to do to Donald Trump in the first Trump administration.”
JD Vance: "I think Nixon's historical legacy is enjoying a bit of a renaissance, and deservedly so. I joked that if Watergate happened tomorrow, it would be like a 12 hours news story. The idea that it took down a presidency is crazy." pic.twitter.com/osy0V3QLyN
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 25, 2026
Watergate was the series of scandals and investigations tied to the 1972 burglarizing and attempted wiretapping of the DNC headquarters at the Watergate hotel in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration’s attempts to cover up the president’s alleged involvement in a widespread political espionage program.
Now, Vance is partially right, but not for the reasons he thinks he is. If Waterate happened today, it would likely not become the administration-ending quagmire it was for Nixon. This isn’t because it wasn’t an arguably criminal and definitely unethical abuse of presidential powers (had Nixon not resigned, he would likely have been impeached and forcibly removed), but because the modern Republican Party has baked criminality and corruption into its very identity.
Consider the current president. Just in the last two years, he used his reelection to secure a truly mind boggling amount of personal profit. Through shady business contacts, donations, “gifts” from parties with interests before the government, lawsuits, and investments, Trump has managed to pull in billions in cash for himself and his family while occupying the White House. This is on top of things like the Epstein scandal and alleged cover-up, Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, being found liable for sexual assault, his use of federal law enforcement and justice agencies to target his political opponents, his use of the pardon power to reward his supporters, and his funneling of federal funds to his business allies. The list of Trump’s scandals is, seemingly, endless.
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Vance may be trying to minimize the gravity of Watergate, but what he’s actually doing is providing a clear indictment of the administration and the current Republican Party, which finds itself incapable of checking the president.
“Vance recognizes that the Watergate break-in is like a cub scout prank compared to the massive, all-encompassing corruption and criminality of the Trump presidency,” Rep. Jaime Raskin (D-Md.) wrote on X in response to the comments.
Some conservatives quickly moved to defend the sentiment, which didn’t entirely come out of the blue. Roger Stone, one of the most consequential political operatives of the 21st century, has Nixon tattooed on his back. Tricky Dick has been an idol to a contingent of the right for some time now.
“Now we live in an age of information,” Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.), told CNN in response to questions about Nixon’s criminality. “We are moving so rapidly that a story like Watergate I don’t think would last as long as it did back in the 1970s when I was a young child”
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Rep. Mark Alford defends JD Vance's comments about Watergate: "We are moving so rapidly that a story like Watergate I don't think would last as long as it did back in the 1970s when I was a young child" pic.twitter.com/dHkMatUsxN
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 26, 2026
“I said Nixon would be vindicated by 2030 on Bill Maher’s show and the audience hissed and laughed,” wrote Chris Rufo, one of the main architects of the far-right push against diversity programs. “But, by God, the Nixon Renaissance has begun and [Vance] is one of the greatest champions of the Cause.”
This supposed renaissance is not actually a reexamination of Nixon’s presidency or the scandals that surrounded it, but a lowering of the ethical standards expected of presidents by the Republican Party, with two of the most slimy presidents in American history serving as their poster boys.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
