Far-right political figure Nick Fuentes has defended Florida Republican James Fishback against criticism from Vice President JD Vance amid his controversial 2026 gubernatorial primary campaign.In a recent discussion on his livestreamed political show and podcast, America First, Fuentes backed Fishback and said:“If anything James Fishback is the least extreme out of the four that I just mentioned. If you go back and look at his campaign rhetoric Fishback is the least conspiratorial, the least preoccupied with Israel, the least overt about anything pertaining to Jewish identity politics.”Nicholas Fuentes marches through the streets while speaking to people associated with the far-right group America First during Anti-Vaccine Activists Protest In New York - Source: GettyFuentes continued saying:“And yet, for some reason, he is engaging in blood guilt, a dangerous form of racism…but Candace Owens isn’t? So calling them 'filthy р*d*рhіӏеѕ', I guess that's not a blood guilt comment!”A leaked audio clip that has gone viral shows Vance commenting on James Fishback’s traction in college precincts and rejecting the idea of “blood guilt” as the root of antisemitism.What did Vice President JD Vance recently say about James Fishback?During a private appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) summit, Vice President JD Vance mentioned right wing political figure James Fishback in his comments.He acknowledged Fishback’s performance among the young voters, specifically in university and college precincts. However, he remarked that holding views on “blood guilt” is incompatible with being a good Jew or a Christian.According to online reports, JD Vance spoke in a leaked Q&A session with RJC Chairman Norm Coleman in Las Vegas. Vance said:“…you cannot be a Christian, and I would say, you know, you know better than I would, but I don’t think that you can be a Jew either if you engage in this idea of blood guilt against people. And I think the antidote to antisemitism is the rejection of this idea of blood guilt.”He added:“And I would tell any young man who claims to be a Christian that . . . this is super corrosive for the soul.”Ironically, JD Vance has faced scrutiny from certain members of RJC due to his equivocal stance on Israel and his recent public criticisms of Israeli officials. Many Jewish Republicans have expressed their discomfort with Vance’s close relationship with Tucker Carlson which surged this August and September.Prior to expressing support and appreciation for James Fishback’s 2026 gubernatorial primary campaign, nationalist livestreamer Nick Fuentes praised Fishback for his social media presence. He called him “really smart” and said he was “really impressed” by Fishback’s media appearances. Fuentes has observed Fishback’s ability to capture the attention of Gen Z online through his digital content.James Fishback is a Florida Republican businessman and political activist who ran as a long-shot candidate in the 2026 Republican primary for governor of Florida. He has become a clear favorite among young voters, particularly Gen Z, during his recent political campaign. He eventually lost the Florida Republican gubernatorial primary on August 18, securing about 10.5% of the total vote.According to a Vanity Fair report, he said in a recent interview:“We’ve broken into the mainstream.”Fishback cited “people who have told me, who are in their late 20s, early 30s, that I’m going to be the first person they ever vote for.” A large group of followers of Nick Fuentes, often referred to as “Groypers,” have followed and supported Fishback’s political campaign. Fishback has praised young men who watch Fuentes. He described many of them as “insightful, informed and patriotic.”James Fishback’s association with Fuentes has drawn criticism from political opponents and organizations like the Republican Jewish Coalition.