Vice President JD Vance took Halloween to another level this year, turning a long-running internet meme about himself into a viral moment that swept across social media. His playful self-deprecating humor struck a chord with millions, reminding Americans that even high-ranking officials can laugh at themselves.
The 41-year-old vice president shared a short TikTok video filmed at the Naval Observatory residence, where he appeared wearing a curly brown wig, a dark suit, and his trademark red tie — a perfect recreation of the viral “you didn’t say thank you” meme that has followed him for months.
In the clip, Vance opens the front door to a group of trick-or-treaters and cheerfully says, “Happy Halloween, kids… remember, say thank you!” The line, delivered with a grin, directly references the viral meme that portrays Vance as an overly stern father figure reminding people about manners.
As the “Twilight Zone” theme kicks in, the video cuts to Vance spinning dramatically under purple lights, adding a layer of spooky humor that had viewers in stitches.
Within hours, the post exploded online — racking up more than 250,000 likes and over 14 million views, eventually topping 15 million views across platforms. On TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, users praised Vance for being “a good sport” and “knowing how to play along with the joke.”
— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 31, 2025
Some commenters called it “the funniest political Halloween post ever,” while others noted that his ability to lean into the meme made him appear more relatable and charismatic. “Say what you want about Vance, but this is marketing genius,” one popular TikTok comment read.
The meme itself originated earlier this year when a short video of Vance reminding a crowd to “thank volunteers” went viral. Internet users remixed the clip into countless versions, inserting it into unrelated situations — from restaurant scenes to movie parodies — all captioned with the now-famous phrase, “You didn’t say thank you.”
By embracing the joke rather than ignoring it, Vance flipped the narrative and turned a months-long internet gag into a moment of authenticity and humor. Political analysts noted that such lighthearted gestures can humanize politicians in ways traditional speeches never could.
Even critics admitted that the vice president’s self-awareness was refreshing in today’s tense political climate. “He showed he can laugh at himself,” one X user wrote. “That’s rare — and people love it.”
As of Friday morning, the clip continued to dominate online discussions, with many dubbing it the “most viewed Halloween post of the year” among political figures. Whether it was a calculated move or just a good-natured joke, JD Vance managed to turn a meme into a viral win — and remind everyone that sometimes, politics could use a little humor.
