JD Vance tried to make a joke about last week’s midterm elections. In the process, he proved to the world he probably shouldn’t pursue a stand-up career after leaving office.
During a meeting with reporters on Monday, the vice president said that “before I get into the meat of my remarks, I wanted to talk about the devastating loss last week.”
He continued, “There are a lot of people unfairly criticizing the leader of the team despite leading us to a great victory two years ago.”
He then referenced the loss had led to “a lot of staff infighting and questions about reshuffling,” and admitted there’s been “a conversation about whether the No. 2 has what it takes to ultimately lead.”
But the vice president wasn’t talking about the midterms at all.
“I’m talking, of course, about the Ohio State Buckeyes,” he said, which, like the Republican Party, had “a devastating loss” on Saturday, losing 41-28 to Oregon.
Vance, an alumnus of the school, tried to put a positive spin on the Buckeyes’ loss.
“Let me just assure you that I really believe in Luke Fahey, our backup QB, and I think our team will make an amazing turn.”
Vance’s “joke” got a few giggles from the reporters in attendance, but nothing close to a chortle, cackle or guffaw. His comment wasn’t the first time he had an awkward experience regarding his alma mater.
In April 2025, when the White House celebrated Ohio State’s national football championship, the vice president accidentally fumbled the trophy, making for an awkward situation.
Last week, Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D-Mich.), who graduated from the University of Michigan, Ohio State’s top rival, mocked Vance in two ways in one sentence.
“JD… There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in. Do you know what that means? Wolverine 1, Buckeyes 0,” El-Sayed said.