Vice President JD Vance created a splash on social media this Halloween by dressing up as the viral meme version of himself

In a short video posted to his Instagram and X accounts, Vance appeared in a curly brown wig, blue blazer and red tie—mimicking the exaggerated “baby-face Vance” meme that’s circulated widely across the internet. 

In the clip, filmed at the Vice President’s residence, he opens the door for trick-or-treaters and says: “Happy Halloween everyone, remember to say thank you while you trick or treat!” before spinning around to the eerie tones of the “Twilight Zone” theme. 

The “say thank you” line is a direct nod to the grenade that launched the original meme: Vance’s remark to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this year, urging him to express gratitude to the U.S. for its support. 

Why this resonated

The post exploded online, racking up over 14 million views within hours. 

By leaning into the joke rather than running away from it, Vance achieved a rare moment of self-mocking in politics. Some commentators saw this as a smart move to reclaim narrative control. 

Reactions ranged from praise for his sense of humour to criticism that the stunt underscored the meme’s dominance over his public image. 

In an era where political figures often struggle with authenticity on social media, Vance’s Halloween costume marks an interesting pivot—blending policy persona with internet culture