There aren’t a lot of things JD Vance is good at. But one thing he’s really good at? Causing problems for Donald Trump. And that’s exactly what happened this morning—when Vance’s own text messages made Trump’s budget look even worse than it already did.
This budget was already deeply unpopular, but somehow, JD made it even more embarrassing.
Let’s break it down.
The texts were about Hakeem Jeffries’ powerful speech protesting the budget on the House floor. Jeffries has been speaking for hours, trying to delay the vote. In one emotional clip, he calls the bill an “all-out assault” on healthcare, warning that millions will lose coverage. He even called the House floor a “crime scene” because of what this bill could do to people’s lives—closing hospitals, cutting off Medicaid, and literally risking lives.
Now, will Jeffries’ protest actually stop the bill? Probably not. But what it is doing is messing with what Trump wants most: attention. Trump wanted to brag about this bill, celebrate it, and throw himself a big 4th of July party around it. Jeffries is standing in the way.
And that’s where JD Vance comes in.
JD thought he was being clever. He posted a text from a Republican congressman that said:
“I was undecided on the bill, but then I watched Hakeem Jeffries’ performance and now I’m a firm yes.”
The point? That this Republican hated Jeffries so much, he voted for a bad bill just to spite him.
But here’s the thing: that’s not the flex JD thinks it is.
People online quickly pointed out how ridiculous it sounded:
- “So… you voted for a terrible bill just because you don’t like the other guy?”
- “Is this supposed to be a win?”
Others joked the whole thing was fake—and honestly, it probably is. Does anyone believe JD actually got that text?
But even if it is real, what does it say about the GOP? That they’re not voting for the budget because it’s good, but because they don’t like Democrats. That they’re willing to hurt their own voters—take away Medicaid, cut food assistance, raise taxes on the working poor—just to “own the libs.”
That’s not policy. That’s petty.
Even worse, some Republicans took cheap shots at Jeffries’ speaking style, mocking his gestures and voice in a way that clearly came off as racist. It wasn’t just gross—it was weird. Why are they more focused on how Jeffries talks than what he’s saying?
And what he’s saying is this: the bill would take away healthcare from 17 million Americans. It would cut Medicaid. It would raise taxes on tipped workers. It would strip SNAP benefits from families who need help feeding their kids. And all that so billionaires like Elon Musk can get tax breaks?
AOC hit this hard in her own speech, calling the bill a “deal with the devil” and pointing out the obvious scam in its fine print. She said it straight: this bill punishes working people while rewarding the rich.
And the reason Republicans are rushing to pass it? Not because there’s a crisis. Not because the country needs it. But because Trump wants fireworks. He wants a 4th of July party for himself, not for America.
Congressman Jim McGovern said it best:
“This is legislative malpractice… a bill shoved through in 24 hours with no debate, no oversight, and no care for what it will actually do to Americans.”
Some Republicans know the bill is bad. They’re just hoping someone else will fix it later. But that’s not leadership—that’s cowardice.
JD Vance tried to make a point, but all he did was prove what everyone already suspects: this bill isn’t about helping people. It’s about helping Trump look good. And the GOP is willing to hurt millions just to do that.
And that’s not just wrong. It’s dangerous.