Vice President JD Vance comments on Iran negotiations in Georgia visit

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Vice President JD Vance waves after speaking at a Turning Point USA tour stop at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Credit: AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser

Vice President JD Vance was in Georgia on Tuesday to speak to students in Athens gathered for a Turning Point USA event.

In one of his first public appearances since war negotiations between the U.S. and Iran broke down in Pakistan, Vance told the crowd of hundreds to continue supporting the Trump administration even if they disagree with the war in Iran.

"When you see a politician, or you see political movement, or you see an administration that isn't doing what you want to do, I think you have two choices," he said. "You can say 'Oh, to hell with those people' and check out of the process, or you can say, 'You know what, I'm going to get more involved, I'm gonna make my voice heard even more.'"

Vance also said that the U.S. will continue to negotiate with Iran on an end to the war, but provided few specifics. 

"If you guys commit to not having a nuclear weapon, we are going to make Iran thrive, we're going to be economically prosperous, and we're gonna invite the Iranian people into the world economy in a way they haven't been in my entire life," he said about U.S. terms for an end to the war.

During his remarks Vance also praised President Trump’s policies on immigration and the economy. 

The event was hosted by Turning Point USA, which advocates for conservative voices. Its CEO, Erika Kirk was slated to speak, but event officials say she canceled due to unspecified threats. Kirk is the widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. 

Rally attendee Drake Smith said he was disappointed that Kirk did not attend, and also in Vance's comments on the war in Iran and the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein. 

"I supported Charlie all throughout up until his death and wanted to support what he built, but it's disappointing to see where it's gone," said Smith, who identifies as a moderate Republican.

The Young Democrats of the University of Georgia protested outside of the event. 

"The Trump-Vance administration has made life harder for students who are struggling with higher costs and fewer job opportunities under their failing economy," chapter president  Caleb Lux said in a statement to GPB. "We deserve leaders who want to help us succeed, and that is clearly not Trump, Vance, the Republicans running for Senate, governor or anywhere else on the ballot."