Vice President JD Vance's Viral Halloween Costume Amasses 16.4 Million Views on X

Vice President JD Vance transformed a viral meme into a Halloween sensation, dressing as the "fat JD with curly hair" caricature that previously circulated online. His embrace of the self-parody quickly captivated social media, with his post on X (formerly Twitter) accumulating over 16.4 million views within hours of its release. This move highlights a public figure's strategic engagement with internet culture.

Vance's costume meticulously recreated the meme, featuring a dense, curly blond wig, a red tie, and a navy-blue blazer. He shared the image on X with a concise caption, "Thank you," directly referencing a signature line associated with the meme. An accompanying Instagram reel, filmed at the Naval Observatory, showed him wishing "Happy Halloween everyone, remember to say thank you while you trick or treat!" under the eerie 'Twilight Zone' theme.

The "fat JD with curly hair" meme originated earlier this year, specifically after a high-profile White House meeting between Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February. Internet users subsequently edited photos of Vance, exaggerating his features and adding disheveled curls, often alongside humorous or critical captions.

The public's response to Vance's Halloween attire was largely positive, celebrating his ability to engage with the viral content. Beyond the impressive view count on X, his Instagram video garnered over 239,000 likes and more than 7,000 comments. Even the official White House X account participated, resharing Vance's image with the caption, "Have you said thank you once?" Many online commenters lauded his humor and perceived it as a strategic move that could benefit his future political endeavors.