Donald Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, who is nearly half Trump’s age, is facing scrutiny over his recent remarks about his upcoming birthday. The Republican vice presidential nominee, who turns 40 on Friday (Trump is 78), expressed his lack of enthusiasm during a campaign event in Nevada on Tuesday, delivering the comment with a notably flat tone.
“I’m 40 years old, almost. I’m sad about that, by the way,” Vance said. “I turn 40, I think, on Friday.” The crowd’s reaction to his comment was ambiguous, but Vance responded with a strained, “Thank you all.”
This remark adds to a series of awkward moments in a campaign already marred by controversial and “weird” comments. Vance has previously been criticized for disparaging “single cat ladies” and making bizarre claims that Democrats believe drinking Diet Mountain Dew is racist. Democrats have been quick to highlight these missteps.
Social media users were quick to pile on this latest strange remark, adding it to Vance’s growing list of oddities. “Personality of a wet napkin,” tweeted @krazyalexx.
“We haven’t seen a lack of charisma in a national campaign since Jeb. It’s astounding,” wrote @lancaster_aj, drawing a comparison to former presidential candidate Jeb Bush.
“You just know Trump is somewhere chewing on an armrest out of frustration with having picked this idiot,” noted @queefneyspearz. “As hard as he tries, he just can’t relate to other humans,” quipped @mfletcher530.
“Trump has fillings older than him,” replied @catincoggnito, highlighting the age difference between the running mates. “His birthday present is going to be getting replaced as VP by Nikki Haley,” predicted @AmerinderKhatra.
The latest gaffe underscores the challenges facing the Trump-Vance ticket. As Vance navigates the national spotlight, his comments continue to draw both ridicule and concern about his ability to connect with voters. With the campaign still in its early stages, Vance’s ability to overcome these awkward moments and present a more compelling presence will be crucial to their success.