J.D. Vance Has No Regrets About Trolling Journalist Over His Weight: 'I Feel Pretty Good About That' 

Vice President J.D. Vance has no regrets about making a personal, weight-related jab at conservative commentator and columnist Marc Thiessen during an online exchange over food prices and inflation.

During a social media debate on X about the cost of living, Thiessen dismissed a student's complaint about high burrito prices by telling him to use his college meal plan.

Vance jumped into the thread, writing, "I'm surprised to hear Mark [sic] say this. If you've ever met him in person, it's quite obvious the man has never missed a burrito.”

Appearing on Hugh Hewitt's radio show, Vance was asked if he regretted taking a public shot at a fellow conservative and parishioner.

Vance defended the remark, stating, "And, you know, maybe in two years you'll look back and say, 'I wish I hadn't said that,' but right now I feel pretty good about that.”

“You know, it was a joke, Hugh. I think there are ways in which you’re allowed to punch back, and you’re allowed to be a little bit humorous. I’m sure it was not as charitable as I should have been, but, you know, one thing is — look, I think he’s a good Catholic,” Vance said.

“I certainly wish him the best. I think he’s been a little unfair to me over the last couple of weeks, and so I decided to hit back with a little spice. I will say that if you read the Gospel, you know, Jesus has remarkable humility. He also has a remarkable way with words. And so I’m always going to fall short of that example, but I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with being a little spicy from time to time,” the 41-year-old presidential hopeful explained.

The White House also praised Vance’s comment, calling it a “banger.”

The official Trump campaign account actively amplified the weight jab on X. White House allies, such as former Trump campaign aide Alex Bruesewitz, defended the vice president by stating Thiessen "had it coming" for dismissing the economic concerns of young Americans, adding that Vance was "speaking the truth."

Critics said that when the vice president passes off mean remarks or offensive commentary as "just a joke," it serves as a thin shield for schoolyard bullying.

"The 'kids will be kids' moniker once described the harmless mistakes of youth. In the hands of Vance and other Republicans, however, it has become an excuse for bigotry, cruelty and impunity. The same people who demand mercy for themselves insist on mercilessness for everyone else. They describe their own abuses as jokes and their adult choices as childhood antics,” said sociology and criminology professor Marcus Bell.

No stranger to the struggles of being overweight, Vance lost over 30 pounds by changing his dietary habits, skipping breakfast, working out five nights a week and following a specialized sauerkraut-heavy meal plan.

Despite widespread public speculation and internet rumors suggesting he used Ozempic, Vance has consistently denied taking any weight-loss medications.

His physical transformation has notably caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who publicly praised his appearance and labeled him a "perfect-looking specimen.”