New Delhi: US Vice President JD Vance has drawn criticism online after joking that he would find out which reporters were “going to be nice” before entering the White House press briefing room.
In a video shared by Vance on Instagram, he was seen heading to the briefing room to take questions from reporters. On his way in, he joked: “We’re going to find out which reporters are going to be nice and which missed their cups of coffee.”
The remark triggered a sharply divided response on social media, with supporters praising Vance for confronting what they described as a hostile media, while critics accused him of treating journalists as adversaries rather than recognising their role in holding public officials accountable.
One commenter said answering difficult questions was part of Vance’s job because he worked for US taxpayers, adding that he and President Donald Trump had “forgotten” that they were public servants.
Others defended the vice president, with one commenter saying they were pleased to see Vance “actually able to speak with integrity to the fake news media”.
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Vance faces questions over Iran
The backlash comes amid heightened scrutiny of Vance and the Trump administration’s handling of the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Vance has recently faced reporters over the administration’s military actions against Iran, including reports that a US airstrike in southern Iran struck a wedding gathering and killed civilians.
Washington has said it does not target civilians and is investigating the reports. However, Iranian officials have said five people were killed and nearly 70 were wounded in the strike in Kuhestak village in Sirik County.
Vance has also rejected describing the confrontation with Iran as a war, saying the US had ended major combat operations and was focused on preventing Tehran from disrupting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Edited by Maryam Hassan