JD Vance Promises Hakeem Jeffries the ‘Sombrero Memes Will Stop’ if He Ends Shutdown

Vice President JD Vance assured House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) — and the nation — that “the sombrero memes will stop” if he ends the government shutdown that began at midnight on Wednesday during a White House press briefing that afternoon.

Trump has whipped up controversy in recent days by sharing AI-generated content depicting Jeffries with a sombrero on his head and a moustache on his face. Jeffries has responded to the videos with anything but amusement.

“Mr. President, the next time you have something to say about me, don’t cop out through a racist and fake AI video. When I’m back in the Oval Office, say it to my face! Say it to my face!” declared Jeffries at a Tuesday press conference.

After a reporter preempted a question by observing that “the president’s been posting some images of leader Jeffries and Senator [Chuck] Schumer recently,” Vance quipped “I saw,” with a smile.

“You’ve said that you’re interested in good faith negotiations with these leaders, but you know, what message does that send? Is it helpful to post pictures of Leader Jeffries in a sombrero if you’re trying to have good faith talks with him?” asked the reporter

“Oh, I think it’s funny! The president’s joking, and we’re having a good time. You can negotiate in good faith while also poking a little bit of fun at some of the absurdities of the Democrats’ positions and even, you know, poking some fun at the absurdity of the Democrats themselves,” replied Vance. “I mean, I’ll tell Hakeem Jeffries right now, I make the solemn promise to you that if you help us reopen the government, the sombrero memes will stop. And I’ve talked to the president of the United States about that.”

Watch above via Fox News.