'Embarrassing' J.D. Vance Shamed by Critics for Fat-Shaming Writer in Argument Over Inflation: 'Grow Up'

Vice President J.D. Vance faced severe backlash after making a fat-shaming remark about conservative columnist and commentator Marc Thiessen.

The online dispute began on X during a discussion among conservative figures regarding high food prices and inflation.

Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet shared an anecdote about a student complaining that a burrito shouldn't cost $20.

“One of our TPUSA college students gave me his take on affordability: ‘A burrito shouldn’t cost $20,’” Kolvet posted.

Thiessen, a Washington Post columnist and former speechwriter for George W. Bush, dismissed the complaint by responding, “Cry me a river. The burritos in the college cafeteria are included in your meal plan.”

Vance interjected with a personal swipe at Thiessen's weight, 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.”

Vance's comment immediately went viral and drew bipartisan condemnation.

Political analysts and social media users noted it was unbecoming for a sitting vice president to use official platforms to insult private citizens. Critics argued that Vance mocked the economic struggles of Americans by shifting a serious debate about grocery affordability into schoolyard bullying.

“Burritos are expensive because you, Trump and this entire administration are liars and frauds,” noted one.

“JD. This is embarrassing. You’re Vice President. You’re using your account to be hateful. Do you teach your kids to behave this way? Grow up,” chided another.

“Internet troll or Vice President? Hard to say,” said a third individual.

“The vice president is making fat jokes. That’s how hard America has fallen,” noted liberal influencer Ed Krassenstein.

Observers pointed out that Vance logged back onto X specifically to engage in personal attacks despite previously signaling a retreat from non-official social media use. The Trump administration expressed glee over what it called a “banger” of a post by the Veep.

Vance is no stranger to weight gain and loss.

He said he lost approximately 30 pounds between his 2022 Senate campaign and late 2024, a transformation he maintained into 2026. He has explicitly denied using weight-loss medications like Ozempic, attributing his physical change instead to diet adjustments, intermittent fasting and regular exercise.

President Donald Trump publicly praised Vance's trimmer physique during a White House event, joking he used to look for a heavy-set gentleman but now saw a "perfect-looking specimen.”