Vice President JD Vance this week reaffirmed America’s commitment to free expression, explaining that making Holocaust jokes represents the “spirited discourse our founders died for,” while suggesting that Charlie Kirk “won’t be remembered as a hero” may result in your visa being revoked.
The vice president's educational seminar followed revelations that Young Republican National Federation members had called Black people "watermelon people," praised Adolf Hitler, and joked about gas chambers. "I refuse to join the pearl clutching," Vance wrote, bravely defending the right of adults to fantasize about genocide in group chats.
Appearing on The Charlie Kirk Show—in what observers noted was either profound irony or performance art—Vance explained: "The reality is that kids do stupid things. Especially young boys, they tell edgy, offensive jokes." He added, "I really don't want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid joke, telling a very offensive, stupid joke is cause to ruin their lives."
The "kids" in question include a 31-year-old man and various adults in their thirties—an age by which most Americans have learned that praising Hitler is frowned upon. Several held positions including a Vermont state senator, proving immaturity and political power remain beautifully compatible.
Meanwhile, the State Department revoked visas of six foreigners for social media comments about Kirk's assassination. A South African man lost his visa for suggesting Kirk wouldn't be remembered as a hero—a position too radical for someone visiting Disney World, apparently.
Constitutional scholars called the timing "a master class in moral clarity," though most added they were being sarcastic and would like that noted for the record.
Even Roger Stone—Roger Stone—denounced the Young Republicans' comments "in the strongest possible terms," marking perhaps the first time he's occupied moral high ground on any decency issue.
But Vance remained unmoved, noting he grew up when "most of what I, the stupid things that I did as a teenager and as a young adult, they're not on the internet." He encouraged parents to warn "especially my boys" about online posts—a touching lesson that the real tragedy isn't praising Hitler, but getting caught.
