19:22Vice President JD Vance at the White House in Washington, Oct. 1, 2025 and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at the US Capitol in Washington, Sept. 10, 2025.EPA/Shutterstock
On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance brushed aside disapproval regarding President Donald Trump's posting of an AI-created video clip featuring House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sporting a comical mustache and wearing a sombrero.
Vance asserted during Wednesday's regular White House press briefing that the manipulated video was merely intended as a jest.
"Oh, I find it amusing," Vance expressed, chuckling. "The President is being playful, and we're all enjoying ourselves. One can negotiate sincerely while also gently mocking some of the absurd aspects of the Democrats' arguments and perhaps even teasing the absurdity of the Democrats themselves."
An Ai generated image of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer shared by President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Trump shared the clip on his social media platform on Monday, shortly after Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer engaged in discussions with Trump, Vance, and Republican congressional figures, aiming to secure a compromise to avert a government shutdown. The clip also features Schumer supposedly voicing negative remarks about his own political affiliation.
Vance went on with additional playful jabs at Jeffries.
"I mean, let me state unequivocally to Hakeem Jeffries, I pledge with utmost sincerity that if you collaborate with us to reopen the government, the humorous sombrero imagery will cease," he remarked with a laugh.
Jeffries characterized the clip as "racist" during a rally held by him and his Democratic colleagues on the House steps on Tuesday.
"Mr. President, the next time you feel compelled to comment about me, refrain from utilizing a discriminatory and fabricated AI-generated clip. When I return to the Oval Office, voice your concerns directly," he asserted.
Vance expressed that he failed to comprehend Jeffries' interpretation of the matter.
Vice President JD Vance speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington.Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
"Hakeem Jeffries labeled it as racist, a statement I acknowledge he made. And I must confess, I am unsure of the implication," the Vice President conveyed to journalists. "Is he, perchance, a Mexican-American individual taking umbrage at a sombrero-themed meme?"
Jeffries maintained his criticism of Trump, Vance, and the Republicans concerning the shutdown on Wednesday; however, he refrained from mentioning the deep fake video or the Vice President's remarks during the press briefing.
Hakeem Jeffries speaks with ABC News, Oct. 1, 2025, following a government shutdown.ABC News
"The president has been exhibiting irresponsible and flippant conduct, which demonstrates that the Republicans, from the outset, desired a government closure," he declared.
The manipulated video featuring Jeffries and Schumer was not the sole item addressed during the press briefing.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt faced questions pertaining to an AI-created video clip Trump posted on Sunday, which appeared to depict him alongside his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, in a fictitious news segment where he promoted "medbeds" purporting to offer remedies for an array of ailments.
The notion of "Medbeds" constitutes a conspiracy theory rooted in the QAnon movement, erroneously alleging that the elite possess access to these universal cure-all beds, yet are withholding them from public availability.
The post was subsequently taken down.
Leavitt refrained from providing an explanation regarding Trump's rationale for posting the video.
"He enjoys sharing memes. He likes to share videos, he likes to repost things that he sees other people post on social media as well. And I think it's quite refreshing that we have a president who is so open and honest directly," she said.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
