Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) faced a chilly reception at the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) conference in Boston on Thursday, where he was met with a barrage of boos from the audience.
Vance’s appearance came a day after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed the same group. Introduced by Representative Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Vance attempted to position himself and former President Donald Trump as a new breed of Republicans, distinct from previous GOP administrations.
As Vance began his remarks, he was immediately greeted with jeers from the crowd. Attempting to address the negative response, Vance quipped, “Semper fi, guys. Sounds like we’ve got some fans and some haters, that’s okay! Listen to what I have to say here, and I’ll make my pitch.”
Throughout his speech, Vance emphasized the pro-worker stance he and Trump share, declaring, “President Trump and I are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history.” He promised to advocate for both unions and non-union workers. However, his statements were met with further boos, underscoring the audience’s disapproval.
The frosty reception did not go unnoticed online, where social media users quickly began mocking Vance’s appearance and the reaction he received. Many took to Twitter and other platforms to comment on the discord, highlighting the disconnect between Vance’s message and the firefighters’ response.
Take a look at the footage and some reactions below.
WOW — Vance gets booed in Boston when he claims he and Trump are the most "pro-workers Republican ticket in history" pic.twitter.com/hb6EvRl7kV
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024
here's a longer video of JD Vance getting booed in Boston by a firefighters group pic.twitter.com/dHcCKbiUpR
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024
He’s Panicking Right Now!!!
— Lucas Sanders 💙🗳️🌊💪🌈🚺🟧 (@LucasSa56947288) August 29, 2024
sucks 2 suck
— Angelica Reed (@Angelica_Reed1) August 29, 2024
That sweet sweet sound of gtfo
— Kathy (@gallymeroreboot) August 29, 2024
Firefighters do not like arsonists.
— 🇺🇸 ᴀʀᴛ 🇺🇸 (@__Arthur_Dent__) August 29, 2024
THEY BRINGIN' DA FIRE
— Dr. Plea Deal ® (@DrJohnFrancis) August 29, 2024
He called them haters and then asked them to listen to his pitch?
He must have failed Public Speaking 101 in college.
— KeepCalmandVOTE 🛹☮️ 🪁✌🏼 (@keepcalm_BetoOn) August 29, 2024
“Don’t be weird. Don’t be weird. Don’t be…GAH!”
— Trump❤️Epstein (@nycjaneyvee) August 29, 2024