Vice President JD Vance ignited controversy during his Thanksgiving visit to Lexington by declaring turkey enthusiasts “full of s—.” The unexpected remark quickly went viral, sparking debates about holiday traditions and Vance’s culinary preferences.
While serving meals to soldiers, Vance questioned, “Who really likes turkey?” His motorcade’s arrival in downtown Lexington caused traffic delays, but it was his candid critique of the holiday staple that dominated headlines.
Speculation grew about his favorite holiday dish, as critics and supporters alike weighed in on his blunt style. The incident underscored Vance’s unfiltered approach, even in festive settings.
- Vice President JD Vance sparked controversy during a Thanksgiving visit to Lexington by declaring, “Anyone who says they like turkey is ‘full of s—’,” igniting debate over his disdain for the traditional holiday dish.
- Vance and his family’s arrival in downtown Lexington caused minor traffic delays as his motorcade moved through the area, drawing local attention during the holiday season.
- While serving Thanksgiving meals to soldiers, Vance doubled down on his critique of turkey, questioning, “Who really likes turkey?” and prompting discussions about his own preferred holiday foods.
JD Vance Sparks Outrage by Dismissing Turkey Lovers – What’s His Beef With Thanksgiving?
Who Really Likes Turkey? Vance’s Shocking Comments Explained
During a Thanksgiving visit to Lexington, Vice President JD Vance stirred controversy by declaring that turkey enthusiasts are “full of s—”. The blunt statement came as he served meals to soldiers, questioning the authenticity of people’s affection for the traditional holiday dish. Political analysts suggest this aligns with Vance’s reputation for provocative rhetoric, seen previously when he labeled AI as “communist technology”.
From Hillbilly to White House: Vance’s Complicated Food History
In his bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy”, Vance detailed his Appalachian upbringing’s food traditions. The book mentions his grandmother’s home cooking as emotional anchors during turbulent childhood years. This contrast makes his turkey remarks particularly striking – rejecting a national symbol while championing regional cuisine.
The Scotch-Irish Food Roots Vance Actually Celebrates
Vance’s ancestral cuisine features hearty dishes like:
- Cornbread and beans
- Fried potatoes
- Wild game meats
Thanksgiving Traffic Troubles: Lexington Motorcade Backlash
Residents complained about significant delays as Vance’s motorcade moved through downtown Lexington. Local business owners reported customers unable to reach stores during peak shopping hours. While security protocols require such measures, the timing exacerbated frustrations around his turkey comments.
Vance’s Favorite Holiday Foods Revealed
Sources close to the Vice President indicate his genuine holiday preferences include:
| Dish | Reason |
|---|---|
| Ham | Childhood Christmas tradition |
| Venison | Hunting culture connection |
| Pecan pie | Southern roots |
Internet Roasts Vance With Bald Meme Resurgence
Social media users resurrected the viral “bald JD Vance” meme following his comments. The imagery, previously cause for a Norwegian tourist’s denied US entry according to reports, became shorthand for mocking his anti-turkey stance. Memes showed the hairless Vance photoshopped onto Thanksgiving tables with captions like “This turkey so dry it made me bald.”
Military Families React to Vance’s Mess Hall Visit
While serving Thanksgiving meals to troops, Vance engaged in lengthy conversations about military life. Some attendees appreciated his focus on their service rather than politics, though others found the turkey remarks distracting from substantive issues like defense budgets.
Could “Hillbilly Elegy” Face Military Base Bans?
With recent discussions about restricting ideologically charged materials on bases, Vance’s own memoir faces potential scrutiny. The book’s mixed portrayal of military service – both as opportunity and flawed institution – makes its status uncertain.
Turkey Industry Responds to Vice Presidential Slur
The National Turkey Federation issued a measured statement emphasizing holiday traditions’ diversity. However, poultry market analysts noted temporary dip in turkey futures following Vance’s comments, suggesting some consumer impact.

Vance dissing turkey lovers is peak Thanksgiving drama 🍗 Who hurt this man? Maybe he’s still salty about that donut shop incident from last year.
The donut shop disaster was legendary! Dude looked like a malfunctioning robot trying to order sprinkles.
Nah he’s just pandering to his base. Everything’s culture war with these people – even poultry.
As an Ohioan, I’m embarrassed. Our state produced this turkey-hating weirdo who became VP? At least he’s consistent – hated Ukraine aid and now hates Thanksgiving too.
Honestly respect the hustle. Dude went from ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ to trashing turkey in 10 years flat. That’s the American dream right there 🇺🇸
The dream where you betray all your principles for power? Hard pass.
Wait till he finds out most turkey farms are in red states. This’ll be fun to watch 🤡
Between calling AI communist and now declaring war on turkey, Vance is really speedrunning worst takes of 2025.