Stephanopoulos Shuts Down JD Vance Interview For Refusing to Address Bribe Allegation

George Stephanopoulos abruptly cut off Vice President JD Vance
George Stephanopoulos abruptly cut off Vice President JD Vance Photo by FMT licensed under CC BY 4.0.

ABC’s This Week took an unexpected and dramatic turn on Sunday when host George Stephanopoulos abruptly cut off Vice President JD Vance after he repeatedly dodged a question about an alleged $50,000 bribe involving Trump’s “Border Czar,” Tom Homan.

Vance had appeared on the program to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, but the conversation veered sharply when Stephanopoulos raised a 2024 FBI sting operation that reportedly caught Homan accepting a $50,000 bribe.

Rather than addressing the allegation, Vance immediately shifted gears. “I think the American people are a little bit sick of these weird left-wing rabbit holes,” he said, attempting to redirect the discussion to budget talks and laying blame on Democrats for the deadlock.

Stephanopoulos quickly pushed back. “It’s not a weird left-wing rabbit hole,” he said firmly. “I asked you whether Tom Homan accepted $50,000, as was heard on an FBI audiotape recorded in September 2024. And you did not answer the question. Thank you for your time this morning.”

And with that, the segment ended abruptly — no sign-off, no pleasantries. The broadcast immediately cut back to the studio.

The exchange went viral within minutes. Viewers flooded social media to praise Stephanopoulos for refusing to let the Vice President deflect. MSNBC’s Ken Dilanian summed it up succinctly, saying Vance “performed verbal jujitsu to avoid acknowledging whether Homan pocketed $50K from undercover FBI agents.”

ABC later uploaded the full interview, emphasizing the unanswered question at the heart of the confrontation.

The allegations against Homan stem from an FBI operation involving undercover agents posing as private contractors. Leaked audio reportedly captured Homan discussing a $50,000 payment in exchange for favorable treatment in detention center contracts. While Homan has not been charged, the recording has reignited scrutiny of former Trump-era immigration officials.

Vance, for his part, has staunchly defended Homan and dismissed the report as a politically motivated hit job.

But Stephanopoulos wasn’t seeking commentary — just a clear answer. When Vance refused to give one, the veteran journalist pulled the plug.