In a move that proved politicians can have a sense of humour (or at least a PR team that thinks they do), Vice President J.D. Vance fully leaned into a viral meme this Halloween — and the internet went wild. Donning a curly wig reminiscent of his infamous “Fat JD” meme, Vance stepped in front of the camera and delivered a simple, self-aware message: “Remember to say thank you!” The result? Over 14 million views in just a few hours.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(762x436:764x438):format(webp)/JDVance-Halloween-X-110125-f24a94aebec444fc8362388a5364221e.jpg)
For those who missed it, the meme originated earlier this year during a tense diplomatic exchange, and social media transformed Vance into an exaggerated caricature with curly hair. Rather than ignore it, he embraced the joke, turning himself into the punchline. On Halloween, he didn’t just dress up — he became the meme.
The clip opens with Vance in a dark suit, red tie, and the now-iconic wig. He spins theatrically as the eerie Twilight Zone theme plays, flashing the camera a knowing smile. It’s a perfectly executed mix of self-parody, political commentary, and internet theatre. Those familiar with meme culture instantly recognized the move: joke first, explanation unnecessary.
Viewers immediately flooded social media with reactions:
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“VP of Memes, officially crowned.”
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“JD just won Halloween 2025.”
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“Say thank you? I’m saying thanks for this!”
While some critics dismissed the stunt as a desperate bid for relatability, others praised it as savvy. Owning a meme before the internet can mock you is an advanced social-media tactic — a way to control the narrative and turn potential embarrassment into viral gold.
Interestingly, the stunt wasn’t just about laughs. It highlighted a growing trend in politics: authenticity now often means embracing your own caricature. Vance’s willingness to poke fun at himself signals to younger, digitally native voters that he’s aware of his internet persona — and can play along.
The clip’s rapid spread demonstrates the power of self-aware humor in political branding. Memes, hashtags, and remixed GIFs appeared almost immediately, creating layers of engagement that traditional messaging can’t replicate. For Vance, it’s a lesson in viral strategy: sometimes the best way to win online is to join the joke — wig and all.
Whether this moment will translate into political capital remains to be seen. But for one night, J.D. Vance became more than a politician — he became a cultural event, proving that in 2025, even the Vice President can break the internet if he knows how to laugh at himself.
And as the Halloween wig settled back into place, one thing was clear: the internet had spoken. J.D. Vance isn’t just a politician. He’s a meme, a moment, and perhaps the first Vice President to truly understand the modern digital age.
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