By: Newsweek / Published: Mar 07, 2025 at 8:11 AM EST
Why It Matters
JD Vance was on the receiving end of meme mockery in the days following the heated meeting between himself, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The shouting match has since drawn global criticism for its chaotic and contentious tone. But U.S. voters may find it endearing that the vice president has a sense of humor and is apparently able to laugh at himself. By contrast, Elon Musk dismissed a Saturday Night Live send-up of the volatile meeting, which also featured Vance, saying "humor fails when it lies."What To Know
Vance's response was shared by the journalist Julio Rosas in a post on X, formerly Twitter, which has been viewed 3.1 million times as of reporting.Rosas wrote that he had landed at the Joint Base Andrews with Vance, and that Vance had "seen many of the memes/edits of his pictures of his pictures and thinks it's a funny trend."
The majority of the memes featured edits to Vance's face to make it look larger. One social media user shared a collection of four edits in a post on X which has been viewed 9.6 million times as of reporting. The collection featured a bald Vance, Vance with long curly hair, Vance as a child with a lollipop and Vance's face slimmed down to look more angular, a meme treatment commonly referred to as 'Yassification,' where a person is edited to look more attractive, or feminine.
In one, he has been edited to look like Violet Beauregarde, from the 2005 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1964 children's novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Posted on X, the caption reads, "For the last time, Mr. Wonka, I did not try any experimental gum, and frankly I find this entire line of questioning insulting." The post has been viewed 7.5 million times.
In another, he was edited to have glasses, dungarees and an Uncle Sam hat, in the style of a Minion from Despicable Me. This post was viewed four million times was captioned "This is rare JD Vance it happens only once in a few decades. Like and share for 99 years of wealth. You will never lack money for travel or tips."
Following the memes, some social media users have joked that they now no longer remember what the real Vance looks like.
It comes shortly after Vance attempted to take a break in Vermont to go skiing, following the contentious meeting with Zelensky, and was accosted by protesters. He received all manner of criticism, ranging from his relationship with Russia, to his ability on the slopes, one online poster saying he skis "like a grandmother."
What People Are Saying
Journalist Julio Rosas on X: "Landed back at Joint Base Andrews with Vice President Vance. I can confirm VP Vance has seen many of the memes/edits of his pictures and thinks it's a funny trend."One social media user: "I have completely forgotten what the real JD Vance looks like at this point."
