US Vice President JD Vance visited Fort Campbell on November 26, 2025, with the aim of uplifting the spirits of soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division ahead of Thanksgiving Day. Vance’s attempt included a short comedy skit, holiday remarks, and reflections on the significance of Thanksgiving. However, the event did not resonate as intended, eliciting discomfort among the troops and a wave of online mockery shortly after.
During his address, Vance adopted a stand-up comedy approach, aiming for a light-hearted tone. He began his routine with the line, “Think about turkey,” pausing for laughter that never materialized. Observers noted that the audience remained largely silent, with only a few murmurs occasionally breaking the stillness. His remarks quickly shifted from humor to a controversial critique of traditional Thanksgiving turkey, suggesting that it is not a universally liked dish.
Vance questioned the appeal of turkey, stating, “Who really likes turkey? You’re all full of s–t.” He argued that the bird is only eaten once a year and posed a rhetorical question: “How many times do you roast an 18-pound turkey randomly… on a nice, summer afternoon?” His comments about turkey’s taste, including a claim that if something needs to be deep-fried to be enjoyable, “it probably isn’t that good,” seemed to leave many soldiers perplexed.
As the skit progressed, he praised chicken as a superior alternative, mentioning its versatility and stating, “Chicken is good all the time.” A soldier in attendance responded by mentioning her own plans to deep-fry her turkey, to which Vance humorously replied that he too would deep-fry a turkey for Thanksgiving.
Vance later shifted the focus to patriotism, declaring Thanksgiving as “probably my favourite American holiday” and emphasizing the spirit of gratitude that defines the day. He encouraged the troops to celebrate the holiday and honor family traditions. However, the attempt to foster a festive atmosphere did not translate well, and social media reactions quickly turned negative.
Online users expressed their discontent, with one commenter stating, “I’ve never seen a vice president bomb on stage.” Another quipped, “Turkeys have more charisma, I’m afraid.” Critics took aim at his delivery, labeling it condescending and awkward. One user mocked his appearance, saying he looked like “an oddly dressed unshaven man wearing guyliner,” while others targeted his character, referring to him as “the turkey—nobody actually likes him.” The backlash continued with comments that described him as “an empty suit foisted into power by Peter Thiel and the dark money oligarchs.”
By the end of the day, Vance’s attempt to boost morale had inadvertently turned into a trending topic of ridicule across the country. His visit to Fort Campbell, intended to celebrate Thanksgiving and connect with military personnel, left many feeling bewildered rather than uplifted.
In an age where authenticity and connection are paramount, this event underscores the challenges faced by public figures in engaging with their audiences.
