Vice President JD Vance spent the day before Thanksgiving doing what many American leaders traditionally do: serving holiday meals to U.S. troops stationed far from family. But what began as a typical patriotic address at Fort Campbell quickly turned into one of the most viral food-related political moments of the year — complete with jokes, cheers, mock outrage, and a nationwide internet debate over whether turkey is actually any good.
What Vance offered was not just remarks. It was a full-on Thanksgiving heresy — delivered proudly, unapologetically, and in front of thousands of soldiers who erupted in laughter from the first minute he said it.
A Thanksgiving Visit With an Unscripted Twist
Vance visited Fort Campbell on the Kentucky–Tennessee border on Wednesday afternoon, joined by his wife Usha, their daughter Mirabel, and their sons Ewan and Vivek. The Vances helped distribute Thanksgiving meals to service members — a decades-old tradition among presidents and vice presidents — with country music star Kid Rock serving as the event’s surprise emcee.
Kid Rock introduced Vance as “someone I do hope to call our 48th president one day,” a remark that immediately set the tone for a raucous, energized crowd.
But what happened next was something no one quite expected.
When Vance took the microphone, he offered the usual patriotic sentiments — gratitude for service, reflections on sacrifice, acknowledgments of the families back home. But then he abruptly pivoted into a passionate critique of the bird that is arguably the most iconic staple of Thanksgiving.
“Be Honest With Yourselves — Who Actually Likes Turkey?”
Vance paused, looked out at the soldiers, and asked the question that would launch a thousand online arguments.
“Who really likes — be honest with yourselves — who really likes turkey?”
Hands went up. Dozens. Maybe hundreds.
Vance was ready.
“You’re all full of shit,” he shot back, triggering roaring laughter from the troops. “Everybody who raised your hands.”
It wasn’t disrespectful. It was playful, confident, almost deliberately provocative in the way Vance tends to be when he’s testing his audience — and the audience loved every second of it.
He continued:
“How many times do you roast an 18-pound turkey just randomly? Just, you know, a nice summer afternoon, we’re gonna go get an 18-pound turkey. Nobody does it. Because turkey doesn’t actually taste that good.”
The crowd cheered harder.
To Vance, turkey wasn’t the problem — the tradition was. And that, in his view, was the point.
“Turkey Isn’t Good — But It’s American”
After roasting the bird, Vance brought the moment back around to patriotism.
“On the most American holiday, we’re gonna cook a turkey, by God, because that’s what Americans do,” he said. “We cook this gigantic American bird, and we do all kinds of crazy things to make it taste good.”
He told troops he planned to deep-fry a turkey on Thanksgiving Day — “the only way to make it edible,” he joked — and delivered one last culinary jab:
“If you’ve gotta deep-fry something to make it taste good, it probably isn’t that good. That’s a pretty good rule of thumb.”
He contrasted turkey with chicken.
“Chicken is good all the time. Chicken is good when you deep fry it, but it’s also good outside of it.”
The message was unmistakable: Vance wasn’t really attacking turkey. He was doing what many Americans do every Thanksgiving — venting with humor about a national culinary tradition that most people participate in but few actually love.
Why Vance’s Remarks Hit a Nerve Nationwide
Within hours, the clip had gone viral.
Some viewers loved the authenticity: a national leader who talked like a normal person, telling harmless jokes to troops away from home. Others were baffled — or offended — that the vice president would publicly insult the star of Thanksgiving dinner.
But Vance’s comments hit a broader cultural moment. In recent years, his public image has shifted from bestselling author to sharpened, populist political figure. His ability to blend bluntness with humor — especially in front of large, patriotic crowds — has made him a standout communicator within the Trump administration.
This was classic Vance: direct, unfiltered, playful, and a little bit disruptive.
And for many of his supporters, that’s the appeal.
The Troops React: Laughter, Cheers, and A Lot of Agreement
Despite the online backlash, the service members on the ground at Fort Campbell responded overwhelmingly with laughter and applause. Many could be heard yelling back good-natured jokes of their own.
For troops spending holidays away from family, Vance’s speech offered something refreshingly real — an informal moment, not a filtered, poll-tested political monologue. Soldiers lined up afterward to eat alongside the vice president and his family, with several reportedly telling Vance they agreed: turkey is fine at best, overrated at worst.
Some said they only eat turkey because it’s tradition. Others joked that Thanksgiving would be better with brisket.
Social Media Explodes: Turkey Wars 2025
Online, reactions were split into three categories:
1. The “Finally someone said it!” crowd
These users applauded Vance for saying what they felt: turkey tastes dry, needs gallons of gravy, and is hardly anyone’s favorite part of Thanksgiving.
2. The “How dare he insult Thanksgiving tradition” group
Some critics accused Vance of disrespecting a cherished American symbol — even though he clearly affirmed the patriotic value of the tradition.
3. The “This is what we’re mad about now?” commenters
Many expressed disbelief that a tongue-in-cheek food opinion was being turned into a political flashpoint.
Regardless of perspective, the debate only amplified the moment further.
Is This a Preview of a Future Presidential Campaign Style?
Kid Rock’s introduction of Vance as “a future 48th president” wasn’t accidental. Vance is widely seen as a potential presidential contender after the Trump era. And moments like this — unscripted, humorous, populist, and designed to connect with everyday Americans — reflect a political style that many expect to see more of.
He’s relatable without trying to be polished. He’s unafraid to take oddball stances. And he can turn even a Thanksgiving joke into a viral cultural moment.
Why This Moment Matters More Than It Looks
It wasn’t about turkey.
It was about authenticity, tradition, patriotism, and an America-first cultural instinct that resonates with conservative audiences.
Vance turned a small holiday speech into a national talking point — and a surprisingly deep conversation about what it means to honor tradition even when you secretly think the food is bland.
At a time when politics often feels heavy, combative, and divisive, Vance gave troops something to laugh about.
And maybe — just maybe — the turkey needed someone brave enough to say what everybody’s been thinking.
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
