JD Vance was savagely mocked for his clothes, which critics blasted on social media as ill-fitting, while the US vice-president backed up Donald Trump during his first address to Congress.
One person wrote on X: “People might (might) listen if you got a pair of big-boy-vance pants.”
They added: “A pair that at least breaks on the foot arch and goes mid-heel, not mid-calf; just who the hell dresses you? Our local Goodwill has a better tailor on staff than whoever is throwing clothes on you.”
Vance sat behind Donald Trump during his first address to Congress. A president’s speech to Congress—even without the formal gloss of a State of the Union address—is typically a time for a call to national unity and predictable claims about the country’s strength.
But that wasn’t President Donald Trump’s plan. His speech on Tuesday night was relentlessly partisan, boasting about his election victory and criticising Democrats for failing to recognise his accomplishments.
However, the true bombshell came during the speech when Trump said he appreciates Volodymyr Zelensky’s letter saying Ukraine is ready to sign a minerals agreement “at any time” after the deal broke down last week.
The US president also said he has had “strong signals” from Russia that Moscow is ready for peace, adding: “Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”
The Ukrainian president had earlier said it is “time to make things right” with Mr Trump after a fractious meeting in the Oval Office last week and the US decision to suspend military aid to Kyiv.
The UK’s diplomatic push towards securing peace in Ukraine will continue as Defence Secretary John Healey heads to Washington on Wednesday.
In an address to Congress, Mr Trump quoted the Ukrainian leader’s words from a letter.
He read: “‘My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you’.”
Mr Trump added: “I appreciate that he sent this letter… We’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?
“It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides.”