Political observers on social media are urging Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) to reconsider his attempts at humor, as his latest joke has sparked widespread mockery and criticism. The most recent incident occurred on Tuesday when Vance was asked what he was doing to prepare for the upcoming vice presidential debates.
Vance’s response quickly drew attention for all the wrong reasons. “I have a friend who embellishes and lies a lot, I’m having him stand in for Tim Walz,” Vance quipped. The comment, intended as a jab at his debate opponent, Tim Walz, instead led many to speculate that Vance was unintentionally referring to former President Donald Trump.
Social media erupted with reactions to Vance’s ill-fated attempt at humor. “Nice of Trump to help Vance with debate prep,” joked Hemant Mehta, a former Jeopardy! champion. The Nation’s legal analyst Elie Mystal echoed the sentiment, sarcastically adding, “J.D. Vance confirms Donald Trump is helping him with debate prep.”
The Lincoln Project, known for its sharp critiques of Trump and his allies, added to the chorus by posting an unflattering photo of Trump alongside the caption, “The friend.” The implication was clear: Vance had unintentionally implicated Trump as the lying friend in his joke.
Rex Huppke, a humorist for USA Today, couldn’t resist pointing out the irony. “How can you be Donald Trump’s running mate and say this without recognizing what a massive self-own it will be and…oh, I forgot it’s JD Vance, nvm,” Huppke grumbled, emphasizing the blunder.
Author Geonn Cannon, known for his LGBTQ fiction, saw the incident as a failure on the part of Vance’s campaign team. “I can’t imagine there was any handler who told him it was a good idea to say he’s friends with liars in an attempt to poke Walz. No one can be that stupid– god, look who we’re talking about,” Cannon laughed, expressing disbelief at the situation.
The backlash to Vance’s joke highlights the ongoing scrutiny he faces as he navigates the political landscape. As the debates draw nearer, the incident serves as a reminder that every word—and every joke—can have significant consequences, especially in the high-stakes world of politics.