J.D. Vance came under fire on X (formerly known as Twitter) for using a clip of a former Miss Teen USA contestant for his own purposes. Vice President J.D. Vance often uses the platform to comment on matters, especially when he was campaigning with Trump.

J.D. Vance, a prominent political figure, faced backlash after sharing a viral clip of Caitlin Upton, a former Miss Teen USA contestant, during his 2024 campaign. The clip, which originally aired in 2007, shows Upton struggling to answer a question, leading to widespread ridicule. Vance used the clip to mock Kamala Harris, but many criticized him for reviving a painful moment in Uptons life. The experience had deeply affected Upton, leading to depression and thoughts of suicide, which she shared publicly years later.

Despite the harsh reactions, Vance refused to apologize, stating that politics has become too lame and that he believes people should be able to laugh at themselves. He clarified that he did not know the full extent of Uptons struggles, but stood by his decision to share the video. Upton, however, expressed her disappointment at the resurfacing of her trauma, urging for an end to online bullying.