Vice President JD Vance returned to his home state for the Ohio Republican Party dinner on Tuesday, drawing laughter when he flipped his middle finger and joked about “pink-haired” opponents of the Trump administration.
Vance thanked the state’s Republicans for their efforts to turn the once purple state “solidly red.” Vance then joked about how difficult it is to be in politics, referring to the hate he often receives.
“I know it’s not always easy to be a political candidate, trust me. In Washington D.C., they have this thing where, I think it means ‘we’re number one’ in Washington D.C.,” Vance said. “But all the pink-haired people throw up this sign [the middle finger] and I think, you know, that means we’re number one. I choose to take that as that symbol.”
LMAO! JD Vance throws up the MIDDLE FINGER live on TV
“In D.C., they have this thing where – I think it means we’re number one – all the pink-haired people throw up this sign… *throws up middle finger*”pic.twitter.com/m5oWcWX0p6
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 25, 2025
Vance gave an anecdote about a woman he met on the campaign trail who was raising her grandchildren after her daughter overdosed on fentanyl. She had to cut out basic necessities due to the economic pressures at the time. Vance attributed all of that to the failures of the Biden administration.
“We’re trying to create the kind of economy where those grandkids, if they work hard and play by the rules, can provide for their family with a dignified, high-paying job. We’re trying to create the kind of country where that woman knows that her leadership cares more about her and her family than they do about Mexican drug cartels,” Vance said.
Vance ended his speech by thanking Ohio Republicans for their help in electing President Donald Trump and keeping up the American dream for people such as the woman he met on the campaign trail. He mentioned that when he sees statistics about illegal immigration being down, fentanyl overdoses decreasing, and the economy recovering, he knows the Trump administration is on the right track.
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“We’re trying to create the kind of country where the American dream is alive and well. We are off to a good start, thank you for all you’ve done to help us,” Vance said.
According to the Ohio Republican Party, the dinner hosted about 950 people, and tickets were $75 per person. Some notable state politicians, such as Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, were in attendance. Vance specifically called out Bob Paduchik, senior adviser for the 2020 Trump campaign and Ohio state director for the 2016 Trump campaign, for his continued support.