Vice President J.D. Vance and businessman Elon Musk have aligned on a major point in the national debate over violent crime, criticizing Democrats’ approach and calling for harsher penalties against repeat offenders, as reported by Fox News.

In a post on X, Vance challenged what he described as “the big lie the Democrats told about violent crime.”

He argued, “The reality is that the gross majority of violent crime is committed by a very small group of people and we should be throwing them in prison.” Vance rejected the notion that crime is “systemic” and attributed to vague societal factors, saying such arguments have allowed money to flow into nonprofits “that don’t do anything besides give jobs to underqualified radicals.”

The big lie the Democrats told about violent crime is that it’s “systemic” and therefore no one’s really responsible. If the “system” is to blame then you fund a bunch of nonprofits that don’t do anything besides give jobs to underqualified radicals.

The reality is that the…

— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 9, 2025

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Musk endorsed Vance’s statement and took aim at left-leaning politicians and activists.

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“Yes,” Musk wrote, echoing Vance’s post. “What it comes down to is this: Do you have more sympathy for those highly likely to commit murder or more for those at risk of being murdered? If the former, you are a disgusting human being and yet so many on the radical left choose this!”

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has been outspoken on crime and public safety issues in recent years, often warning about what he sees as the consequences of lenient policies.

He has previously suggested stronger penalties for violent offenders, writing, “A second conviction for aggravated violent crime should get life imprisonment.”

Yes.

What it comes down to is this:

Do you have more sympathy for those highly likely to commit murder or more for those at risk of being murdered?

If the former, you are a disgusting human being and yet so many on the radical left choose this! https://t.co/5qbeHP5oie

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2025

Support for Vance’s position also came from Congress. Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) reposted the vice president’s message and criticized Democrats’ handling of crime and homelessness.

“The crime and homeless industrial complexes Democrats have set up with NGOs and nonprofits aren’t designed to solve problems,” she wrote.

“Rather, they are fraudulent entities which exist to launder taxpayer dollars to enrich themselves, their friends, and further radical, pro-criminal policies that only endanger hard working Americans.”

The crime and homeless industrial complexes Democrats have set up with NGOs and “nonprofits” aren’t designed to solve problems. Rather, they are fraudulent entities which exist to launder taxpayer dollars to enrich themselves, their friends, and further radical, pro-criminal… https://t.co/FvpVxwYj7R

— Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (@RepBethVanDuyne) September 9, 2025

The exchange highlights growing pushback against Democratic narratives on criminal justice, which critics say downplay the role of repeat offenders while emphasizing systemic explanations.

With Musk’s high-profile endorsement, Vance’s remarks gained significant visibility on social media, further fueling the national conversation over crime, punishment, and public safety policy.