Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday dismissed criticism over AI-generated videos shared by President Donald Trump that depicted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero. Vance characterized the videos as a “joke”, rejecting accusations from Democrats that the posts were offensive.“I think it’s funny. The president’s joking and we’re having a good time,” Vance said at a White House press conference when asked by a reporter how the images aligned with the administration’s claims that it remains committed to negotiating with Democratic leaders in good faith, as cited by Reuters.“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,” he added. He emphasized that the people were fully aware Jeffries had not actually appeared at the White House wearing a sombrero and a “black curly animation mustache.”“We’re all trying to do a very important job for the American people,” he said. “The president of the United States likes to have a little bit of fun when he’s doing it. And I think that’s OK.”The video, posted on Monday, alleges that Democrats are seeking to provide free health care to undocumented immigrants. It portrays Jeffries, who is Black, as Mexican, accompanied by mariachi music in the background.“Mr. President, the next time you have something to say about me, don’t cop out through a racist and fake AI video,” Jeffries said Tuesday in remarks at the Capitol, as reported by the New York Times. “When I’m back in the Oval Office, say it to my face.”Vance said that there was only one way to put an end to the memes.“I mean, I’ll tell Hakeem Jeffries right now, I make this solemn promise to you that if you help us reopen the government, the sombrero memes will stop,” he said. “And I’ve talked to the president of the United States about that.”
