Full Breakdown
Vice President JD Vance's Controversial Thanksgiving Remarks at Fort Campbell
11/29/2025, 7:36:31 AM
Thanksgiving Address to Troops
On November 26, 2025, Vice President JD Vance visited Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to celebrate Thanksgiving with U.S. Army soldiers. During his address, Vance engaged the audience in a controversial discussion about turkey, the traditional centerpiece of Thanksgiving meals. He asked the troops, “Who really likes turkey? Be honest with yourself,” and when some soldiers raised their hands, he retorted, “You’re all full of s---. Everybody who raised your hands.” Vance argued that turkey does not taste good, stating, “How many times do you roast an 18-pound turkey just randomly? Nobody does it because turkey doesn’t actually taste that good.”
Context of the Remarks
Vance's comments came shortly after addressing a serious incident involving two National Guard soldiers who were shot near the White House. He urged the audience to pray for the victims, emphasizing the importance of soldiers as “the sword and shield of the United States of America.” However, his subsequent remarks about turkey drew significant attention and criticism, as they seemed to shift abruptly from a serious tone to a comedic one.
Criticism & Opposition
The vice president's remarks sparked backlash on social media, with many users expressing confusion and disapproval. Critics described his turkey rant as tone-deaf, especially given the recent shooting incident. Comments included sentiments that his delivery was “condescending” and “awkward,” with some users mocking his performance as lacking charisma. One user remarked, “I’ve never seen a vice president bomb on stage,” highlighting the disconnect between his humor and the gravity of the situation.
Official Statements & Responses
In his speech, Vance also expressed gratitude for the service members and praised Thanksgiving as “so American” due to its spirit of gratitude. He stated, “Here’s the thing about Thanksgiving: it is so American because at the heart of it is the spirit of gratitude.” Additionally, he mentioned his plans to deep-fry a turkey, reinforcing his earlier point that if something requires deep-frying to taste good, it likely isn’t that good.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Who really likes — be honest with yourself — who really likes turkey?” — JD Vance, Vice President
- “How many times do you roast an 18-lbs. turkey, just randomly? Just, you know, a nice summer afternoon, we're gonna go get an 18-lbs. turkey. Nobody does it, ‘cause turkey doesn't actually taste that good.” — JD Vance, Vice President
- “Here’s the thing: If you've got to deep fry something to make it taste good, it probably isn't that good.” — JD Vance, Vice President
What's Next
Following the event, Vance's remarks are likely to continue generating discussion, particularly regarding the appropriateness of his comments in light of the recent violence involving National Guard members. The vice president's approach to engaging with service members may also be scrutinized as he prepares for future public appearances and potential political aspirations.
