NEW YORK — In a pivotal moment for his political future, Vice President JD Vance is set to meet with Sid Rosenberg, a prominent conservative radio host and vocal supporter of Israel, at the White House on Thursday. This meeting marks a significant step in Vance's efforts to mend fences with Jewish Republicans disillusioned by his associations and recent remarks.

Rosenberg, who hosts the popular show "Sid & Friends in the Morning" on 77 WABC, has been a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and has criticized Vance for his friendship with Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host known for controversial statements about Israel. The radio host has also expressed doubts about Vance’s commitment to maintaining robust U.S.-Israel relations.

In an interview with POLITICO, Rosenberg revealed that he plans to confront Vance about his connections with Carlson and the future of U.S. aid to Israel. “If he really wants to win in ‘28, he has no choice but to, at the very least, distance himself from [Carlson] if not completely disavow him,” Rosenberg stated, emphasizing the importance of these issues for Vance's potential 2028 presidential run.

The meeting comes on the heels of Vance’s appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition's leadership summit in Las Vegas, where he attempted to address concerns about antisemitic hate crimes and affirmed that collaborating with Israel aligns with America's interests. However, Vance’s comments at a subsequent event suggesting that U.S. policy should not be "subservient to the State of Israel" reignited criticism from pro-Israel factions within the GOP.

A spokesperson for Vance confirmed the upcoming meeting with Rosenberg, noting that it was scheduled after a missed connection in Las Vegas. “The Vice President was unfortunately not able to meet with him in Las Vegas during the RJC Leadership Summit, and of course wanted to make time to meet with him in Washington,” the spokesperson said.

Despite his critical stance, Rosenberg described Vance as an “affable” and “smart” individual, though not his preferred candidate for the 2028 elections. Rosenberg remains a supporter of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but he acknowledged he would back Vance if he becomes the Republican nominee.

Rosenberg’s influence, while significant in the niche of New York Republican politics, has been magnified by his long-standing friendship with Trump. However, his career has not been without controversy. Earlier this year, Rosenberg faced backlash for derogatory comments about New York City’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, which he later apologized for, only to retract the apology subsequently.

As Vance gears up for what could be a challenging campaign, his handling of this meeting could be crucial in shaping his standing among key GOP donors and voter segments. With the eyes of many on this significant political engagement, the outcomes could very well influence the landscape of the 2028 presidential race.