Tim Walz brutally attacked his Republican counterpart JD Vance and even made a couch joke at his expense in his first speech since being named Kamala Harris’s vice president.
Walz drew cheers and laughter from the crowd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he alluded to the recent online smear campaign against the Republican vice presidential candidate, telling those in attendance, “I can’t wait to debate the guy … when he’s ready to get off the couch.”
Vance was ridiculed after a parody post on X claimed that part of his best-selling book Hillbilly Elegy where the Senator from Ohio admitted to having had relations with a sofa.
The joke was made even worse by a now-retracted fact-checking article by The Associated Press titled “No, JD Vance did not have sex with a couch,” which sparked a flood of memes on social media.
Walz couldn’t resist jumping on the bandwagon himself on Tuesday evening, denouncing Vance’s hypocrisy in his book and sharply criticizing his exclusive education and career.
“Like all the normal people I grew up with in the heartland, JD studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires and then wrote a best-selling book denigrating that community,” he said.
“That’s not what the American middle is like. And I have to tell you: I can’t wait to debate the guy… That is, if he’s willing to get up off the couch and show up.”
“See what I did there?” he added, drawing loud laughter from his followers.
The Minnesota governor continued the hype later that evening by posting a clip of his witty remark for his 450,000 followers on X.
Like all normal people in heartland America, JD Vance studied at Yale, had his career financed by Silicon Valley billionaires, and wrote a best-seller denigrating that community.
Light up.
I can’t wait to argue with the guy – assuming he gets up from the couch and comes. pic.twitter.com/4orv0v2xTZ
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) 6 August 2024
Walz’s comments sparked another flood of new memes. “I almost feel sorry for JD Vance. There’s no way to block these attacks,” wrote one user. “Tim Walz is brutal,” wrote another.
Others were excited about the new duel, with one writing, “Coach Walz vs. Couch Vance.” Viewers also pointed out that Harris herself seemed to be stifling her laughter in the background while Walz spoke.
“Oh she wanted to laugh HUGEly at the couch joke,” one wrote, posting a screenshot of the vice president’s face.
At the rally, Walz also turned his attention to Donald Trump, saying: “He froze in the face of the Covid crisis. He has ruined our economy.”
“And make no mistake: violent crime has increased under Donald Trump – and that doesn’t even include the crimes he committed.”
