JD Vance Dresses Up as Viral ‘Fat JD’ Meme for Halloween: ‘Remember to Say Thank You’

JD Vance leaned into his internet fame this Halloween — and had some fun with it.

The vice president, 41, marked the holiday on Friday, Oct. 31, by dressing up as one of his own viral alter egos known online as “fat JD curly hair,” a nickname popularized by a widely shared edited image. (Even the White House referred to it that way in a recent X post.)

In a photo posted to X, Vance sported a curly, shoulder-length wig and stared directly into the camera, mimicking the viral photo. He also shared a video wearing the same wig, referencing another of his well-known internet moments.

In the clip, Vance — in full “fat JD” mode — opens a door and says, “Happy Halloween, kids. And remember: Say thank you,” before spinning as The Twilight Zone theme plays. His caption read: “Happy Halloween everyone, remember to say thank you while you trick or treat!”

Vice President Vance on TikTok:

“Happy Halloween everyone, remember to say thank you while you trick or treat!” pic.twitter.com/YoKhKmeP6w

— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) October 31, 2025

Both the video and caption nod to a viral moment from earlier this year, following a tense meeting between Vance, President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. During that February meeting, discussions about ending the Russia-Ukraine war turned combative.

Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” for addressing U.S.-Ukraine policy before American reporters, adding that he should thank Trump. “Right now, you guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for trying to bring you into this conference,” Vance said at the time — a remark that inspired the “thank you” meme he referenced in his Halloween video.

The White House later joined the fun, reposting Vance’s Halloween photo with the caption: “MAKE SURE YOU SAY THANK YOU.”

Earlier that day, Vance had also poked fun at another meme version of himself — the “bald JD” image — by posting an edited headshot featuring a shaved head and the caption, “Happy Halloween!” The image included bold text reading, “Can you hear the screaming.”

Vance’s lighthearted posts followed another viral moment days earlier, when he and Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, drew attention at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Introducing Vance, Erika told the crowd, “No one will ever replace my husband. But I do see some similarities of my husband in JD — in Vice President JD Vance. I do. And that’s why I am so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight.”

The pair shared an intimate embrace on stage, with Vance resting his hands on her hips as she appeared to run her fingers through his hair — sparking widespread social media debate about the moment’s appropriateness and meaning.