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1h ago

Vance Defends Trump’s AI ‘Sombrero’ Videos, Offers to Halt Memes if Jeffries Helps End Shutdown

The White House replayed the edited clip during a briefing, highlighting stalled efforts to reopen the government.

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: Screens display AI-modified videos of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that were shared on social media by President Donald Trump in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on October 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. Vice President JD Vance dismissed criticism of the posts in today's daily press briefing, adding, "I'll tell Hakeem Jeffries right now, I make this solemn promise to you, that if you help us reopen the government, the sombrero memes will stop." (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to agree on a short-term funding measure.
  • Vice President JD Vance said the president was “joking,” promised “the sombrero memes will stop” if Hakeem Jeffries helps reopen the government, and said he discussed it with Trump.
  • The White House displayed the edited Jeffries clip on large briefing-room screens, and a deputy communications official posted that the sombreros would continue until the government reopens.
  • Jeffries condemned the AI-altered videos as racist, while Vance questioned that characterization and argued the posts were lighthearted.
  • Republicans hold a 53–47 Senate majority but still need Democratic votes to pass funding, with disputes reported over health care provisions including ACA subsidies.