Vice President JD Vance faced widespread criticism on social media after delivering what critics called an awkward “joke” involving flipping the middle finger during a keynote speech at the Ohio Republican Party dinner in Lima, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 24.
During his address, Vance was discussing the challenges of being a political candidate when he made the gesture. He told the audience that in Washington, D.C., there was a sign that he believed meant “We’re No. 1 in Washington, D.C.” Vance then flipped his middle finger and kept it raised while continuing his remarks.
The Vice President suggested that “all the pink-haired people throw up this sign” and questioned whether it meant “We’re No. 1.” He maintained his raised middle finger while adding that he chose to interpret the gesture as that symbol in Washington.
The line drew some laughter from the Republican dinner audience, but social media users responded with harsh criticism of Vance’s attempt at humor. Critics described the moment as “peak try-hard” and questioned the appropriateness of the gesture from a sitting Vice President.
One social media user wrote that they were unsure of what joke Vance was attempting to make, while another characterized his behavior as pathetic. Additional critics described Vance as having “negative charisma” and suggested he should not attempt the type of performance he was trying to execute.
The incident occurred on the same day that President Donald Trump made headlines for using profanity while discussing the Israel-Iran ceasefire situation. Trump had told reporters that the two countries “don’t know what the fuck they’re doing” regarding their conflict.
Several social media commentators drew connections between the two incidents, noting the contrast with previous criticism of political language. One user pointed out the apparent double standard, referencing how critics had previously reacted when former President Joe Biden used strong language on a single occasion.
Critics also connected Vance’s gesture to broader themes about his political persona. Some characterized his approach as “fake populism” that had devolved into complaints about hair dye and hand gestures. Others described the moment as representing a shift from his previous image as the author of “Hillbilly Elegy” to what they termed “high school energy.”
The criticism extended beyond the gesture itself to questions about Vance’s authenticity as a political figure. Multiple social media users described him as “fake and corny,” with one suggesting that this characteristic was “actually scary.” Another critic noted that they found his behavior to be “completely incoherent” in the context of his intended message.
The Vice President’s middle finger gesture was captured on video and quickly circulated across social media platforms, where it continued to generate negative commentary. Users questioned both the timing and appropriateness of such a gesture from someone in Vance’s position.
Some critics interpreted Vance’s behavior as an attempt to match or respond to Trump’s earlier profanity-laden comments about the Middle East situation. One social media user suggested, “I guess when daddy drops the f bomb you gotta act like you’re really cool too.”
The incident represents another moment of scrutiny for Vance’s public communication style since taking office. His attempt at humor during the Republican dinner was widely viewed as missing its mark, with critics suggesting he should avoid similar attempts at casual or provocative humor in future speeches.
The Vice President has not publicly responded to the criticism surrounding his gesture or provided additional context for his intended message. The incident continues to circulate on social media platforms, where users continue to express disapproval of both the gesture and its execution during what was meant to be a formal political address.
