Politics'Unintelligent' J.D. Vance Mocked by Critics as He Mixes Up 'Celebrate' and 'Commemorate' While Addressing 9/11 Anniversary: 'My God, He’s Stupid'
J.D. Vance made an awkward blunder during a recent speech.
Sept. 1 2026, Updated 2:53 p.m. ET
J.D. Vance made an eyebrow-raising gaffe when he addressed upcoming 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks during a rally on Monday, August 31.
"We’re about to celebrate the 25th year,” the vice president, 42, said to the audience in Sterling Heights, Mich., before quickly backtracking to say “or commemorate the 25th year.”
J.D. Vance's 'Freudian Slip' Shocked Viewers Online
J.D. Vance spoke about the upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11 in his address.
The awkward blunder made its way to the World Wide Web and viewers were flabbergasted over Vance's seemingly "out of touch" moment.
"Celebrate 9/11…? Who celebrates a d--- catastrophe against its own country?" one person wondered on X.
Online users criticized J.D. Vance's mistake.
"Hey, when did we start celebrating #9/11? @JDVance? You are a malicious hallow soul," someone fumed, with another user calling him "unintelligent and incompetent."
"Nothing like celebrating the deaths of 3,000 Americans. My god, he’s stupid," one critic rolled their eyes, as fourth chimed in: "I honestly don't think he could be dumber if he tried."
J.D. Vance Quickly Corrected Himself After the Gaffe
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One X user called the vice president a 'malicious hallow soul.'
Another individual blasted the Hillbilly Elegy author's "Freudian slip," writing: "Celebrate? W-- is wrong with these people. We don’t celebrate the worst terrorist attack on the U.S. We solemnly remember those who lost their lives that day."
Following Vance's mistake, he asked Americans to “celebrate all the brave heroes” who risked their lives to save other civilians on September 11, 2001, as well as during the resulting War on Terror.
Donald Trump Will Not Be Attending the 9/11 Memorial Later This Month
Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are set to attend the 9/11 memorial next week.
Vance is slated to fly down to Manhattan's World Trade Center later this month for the 9/11 anniversary. President Donald Trump will not be attending the commemoration as he is expected to appear at the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virg.
The Pentagon was also struck by a hijacked plane at the time of the attacks.
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and ex-presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and George W. Bush are also scheduled to appear at the Ground Zero memorial.
Donald Trump will be visiting the Pentagon on September 11.
According to The New York Times ,Trump, 80, was not planning on attending the memorial because he was barred from giving a speech. Political figures have not been allowed to speak at the somber event since 2012.
When approached about the report, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly called the POTUS a "proud New Yorker."
"President Trump has spoken about his own experiences watching the horrific events of September 11, 2001. On the 25th anniversary of this tragic day, the president will remember those who were killed at the hands of evil terrorists, honor their loved ones and pay tribute to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line to rescue their fellow Americans," she said in a statement.
