John Oliver took aim at Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), criticizing his response to a reporter’s question about what makes him smile. During a campaign event, Vance responded by laughing and saying that he smiles at “bogus questions from the media” before launching into a critique of Vice President Kamala Harris and her policies. Oliver referred to Vance’s answer as the “worst possible answer” to a simple question and questioned his demeanor.
Oliver suggested that Vance could have given a variety of better answers to the reporter’s question, such as mentioning his children, funny dogs, or other lighthearted topics. He poked fun at Vance’s fixation on border security and his negative comments about Kamala Harris, calling them “just plain wrong” responses to a question about smiling. Oliver contrasted this with a clip of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was shown enjoying a slingshot ride with his daughter at a state fair and engaging in positive interactions with children and animals.
The host highlighted Walz’s ability to find joy in simple things like holding a piglet and hugging children, contrasting this with Vance’s more serious and intense demeanor. Oliver jokingly referred to Walz as “remembering that he isn’t JD Fucking Vance” as he smiled in the pictures shown. The comparison between Vance and Walz served as a humorous critique of Vance’s approach to politics and public image, suggesting that he could benefit from adopting a more lighthearted and positive attitude.
Overall, Oliver’s segment on Vance’s response to the reporter’s question highlighted the ways in which politicians can convey their personality and values through simple interactions like answering a question about what makes them smile. By contrasting Vance’s serious and negative response with Walz’s cheerful and engaging behavior, Oliver illustrated the importance of authenticity and positivity in connecting with voters. The segment served as a reminder that politicians can benefit from showing their human side and embracing moments of joy in their public appearances.
