US Vice President JD Vance Criticizes Rory Stewart's Intelligence Claims

JD Vance, the newly appointed Vice President of the United States, has publicly criticized Rory Stewart, a former Conservative minister and current presenter of the podcast Rest is Politics. Vance described Stewart as someone who falsely perceives himself to have a higher intelligence quotient, stating that while Stewart believes he has an IQ of 130, it is actually closer to 110. He went on to attribute a sense of false superiority to individuals like Stewart, suggesting that it has played a significant role in what he views as elite failures over the past four decades.

In reaction to Vance's comments, Stewart responded with sarcasm, commending Vance’s ability to assess someone else's intelligence so confidently and swiftly. Stewart then shifted the focus to the voters, expressing concern that Vance might be patronizing towards a significant portion of the US population, suggesting that many Americans likely have an IQ in the average range. He emphasized that this could include a fair number of Vance’s own supporters.

The contentious dialogue escalated when Vance made remarks about love and community, referencing a Christian notion that emphasizes a hierarchy in loving various groups, starting from family to fellow citizens, before considering the rest of the world. Stewart critiqued this perspective as a “bizarre take” on biblical teachings, adding that it seemed more aligned with pagan tribalism than Christianity. He warned against politicians positioning themselves as theologians, dictating how and whom to love based on their interpretation of religious texts.

This notable exchange comes amid heightened criticism from Donald Trump and his supporters towards British politicians, with figures like Elon Musk encouraging support for parties like Nigel Farage's Reform. Musk has been vocal in his dissent towards the current British leadership and hinted at substantial financial backing for the party, alongside intensifying his disputes with Labour leader Keir Starmer.