Vice President JD Vance is under fire after making an obscene gesture during a televised speech, just moments after President Trump made headlines for dropping an expletive in front of reporters.
Vance was speaking at a Republican dinner in his home state of Ohio on Tuesday (June 24) when he flashed the middle finger while referencing political critics in Washington.
“I know it’s not always easy to be a political candidate, trust me,” Vance said, per The Daily Beast. “In Washington, D.C., they have this thing, I think it means we’re No. 1.” He then raised his middle finger, adding: “All the pink-haired people throw up this sign and I think that means we’re No. 1, right? I choose to take it that way.”
The moment was captured on national television and quickly drew criticism online. Social media users called the gesture “disgraceful” and “unprofessional,” with one post reading, “Remember when presidents and vice presidents set a good example for the country?”
Others called the moment “embarrassing,” especially given the heightened global tensions Vance and Trump were addressing.
The Vice President’s stunt came just hours after Trump gave a fiery response to questions about the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Asked whether Iran had violated the truce and if peace was still possible, Trump delivered a characteristically blunt response: “Yes, I do believe [Iran is still committed to peace]. They violated it, but Israel violated it too.”
He went on to criticise Israel’s actions immediately following the ceasefire agreement. “As soon as we made the deal, Israel came out and dropped a load of bombs the likes of which I had never seen before. I’m not happy with Israel,” Trump said. “When I say you have 12 hours, you don’t go out in the first hour and drop everything you have.”
Pressed by reporters, Trump escalated further, The Independent reported. “We basically have two countries that have been fighting for so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing. Do you understand that?”
Despite the profanity-laced tirade, Trump later appeared to walk back his tone, posting on Truth Social that the ceasefire was holding: “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt. The Ceasefire is in effect!”
Critics say both Trump and Vance’s behaviour raises questions about the tone and professionalism of the current administration, especially during a tense and volatile international moment.
