A tense confrontation in the Oval Office has transformed Vice President JD Vance into an unlikely internet sensation. The heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28 has sparked a firestorm of memes and mockery on social media.

Fiery Oval Office Exchange

During a high-stakes meeting, Vice President Vance sharply challenged Zelensky’s request for additional US funding. He questioned Zelensky’s credibility and repeatedly pressed him with the now-famous line, “Did you even say thank you?” Vance’s forceful tone, combined with his criticisms, left diplomatic relations between Washington and Kyiv notably strained. President Trump even weighed in, accusing Zelensky of “gambling with World War III,” which further intensified the drama. Ultimately, Zelensky departed Washington without finalizing a proposed minerals deal.

Social Media Frenzy

The dramatic exchange quickly turned JD Vance into a meme legend. Online users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) transformed Vance’s image into everything from an overweight monster to an ogre, with some even editing his features for comic effect. Memes highlighting his repeated question became a viral catchphrase, capturing the imagination of netizens and fueling widespread ridicule.

In a hundred or a thousand years’ time, historians will be unable to say for certain what JD Vance actually looked like. pic.twitter.com/Z21iJcSz8w

— RAW EGG NATIONALIST (@Babygravy9) March 5, 2025

Fallout and Protests

The backlash extended beyond the digital sphere. During a family ski trip in Vermont, hundreds of pro-Ukraine protesters gathered, holding signs reading “International embarrassment” and “Vermont stands with Ukraine.” The demonstration was so disruptive that Vance and his family were forced to relocate from their planned resort to an undisclosed location, further highlighting the growing public discontent with his actions.

You’ve heard of JD Vance?

Well, here’s 3D Vance. pic.twitter.com/iD1ALg2x2y

— Klara (@klara_sjo) March 5, 2025

The Bigger Picture

Vance’s transformation into a political meme star underscores the volatile nature of modern political discourse. His aggressive stance during a critical meeting, combined with the subsequent social media backlash, reflects deep divisions and the power of digital platforms to reshape public perceptions of political figures.

This is rare JD Vance it happens only once in a few decades. Like and share for 99 years of wealth. You will never lack money for travel or trips 🙏 🍀 pic.twitter.com/6AkeEbHhQ9

— Gregory G. Glimmer (@GregoryGlimmer) March 4, 2025

can’t even conjure up an image of JD vance in my brain anymore all i can see is this pic.twitter.com/4jwwaqMfTH

— casual extortion (@thats_canceled) March 3, 2025