On Halloween 2025, U.S. Vice President JD Vance wore his own viral image. It is perhaps better known as the fat JD meme on the internet and initially began as a social media joke earlier in the year, eventually becoming one of the most familiar political memes of 2025. Vance chose not to turn a blind eye to the trend and instead took part and made fun of himself.The fact that he dressed up for Halloween showed that he understood how internet culture functions and could laugh with it. The costume soon became the topic of attention on social sites, from X (previously Twitter) to Instagram. His post became one of the most talked-about Halloween moments of 2025, as many people shared his photos and videos.The decision made by Vance reflected a rising trend among social leaders who apply humor and self-awareness to engage people over the internet. Through the meme, he turned the mood of ridicule into participation and demonstrated the ability of social media to transform political leaders in a rather unlikely manner.JD Vance’s halloween costume details View this post on Instagram Instagram PostJD Vance recreated the viral fat JD meme appearance remarkably well. He had a thick and curly brown wig, much like the exaggerated hairstyle used in the meme. In addition to that, he donned a red tie and blue blazer, which coincided with the outfit in the image that had gone viral earlier this year.The initial meme had spread following a tense encounter between JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a meeting in February 2025. Online users photoshopped pictures of JD Vance, giving him a rounder face and hair and transforming them into a chain of memes with captions such as “You didn’t say thank you.” Those edits were directly referenced in Vance’s Halloween version.He even uploaded a close-up image of himself with wide-open eyes, imitating the same surprised face from the meme. The post was an instant success, and within a few hours, millions of views were recorded. He wished trick-or-treaters a “Happy Halloween, remember to say thank you,” as he turned around in a short video clip while the Twilight Zone theme played in the background.Read More: "We are truly disappointed": Huda Beauty cuts ties with influencer Huda Mustafa after offensive livestream incidentThe internet reaction and cultural impactJD Vance’s costume became one of the trending topics on the internet within hours of posting. Critics and even political opponents noted how he managed to handle the situation humorously. He was referred to as the “meme lord vice president” by many users who appreciated that he could laugh at himself.The White House’s official account and other government officials also reposted and joked about the costume, further increasing its reach. Politics, memes, and Halloween combined to make it one of the most talked-about cultural stories of the week.JD Vance turned it into a costume that altered the tone of the discussion about him online. What started as criticism or a joke became a case of self-awareness. For a political figure, this was a demonstration of how digital culture can make leaders relatable and help them engage their audience.Read More: ‘This is wrong in so many ways’: Internet buzzes as Julia Fox faces backlash for dressing as Jackie Kennedy after JFK’s assassination