In a scene that can only be described as toe-curlingly awkward, vice presidential candidate JD Vance made an unplanned and uncomfortable appearance at Holt’s Sweet Shop in Valdosta, Georgia, on Thursday. The Ohio Senator’s visit, intended to grab some doughnuts for his campaign crew before a speech, quickly spiraled into a cringe-worthy episode that had social media buzzing.
A cringe-worthy encounter
The scene unfolded as Vance, 40, walked into the local doughnut shop, aiming to support a small business and perhaps charm some local voters. However, his attempt at casual interaction fell flat when the shop’s employee requested not to be filmed. Vance, seemingly undeterred, directed the press to exclude her from their shots before introducing himself with a broad smile.
“I’m JD Vance, I’m running for vice president,” he said, his enthusiasm not quite matching the woman’s terse response: “OK.”

As Vance proceeded to inquire about the shop’s operations, asking questions about how long the staff had been working there, his efforts were met with curt answers. The staff, visibly uninterested, put together a ‘random assortment’ of two dozen doughnuts, which Vance meticulously inspected, commenting on the selection of glazed, sprinkles, and cinnamon rolls. The exchange, captured on video, left many viewers cringing at the awkwardness.

Social media storm: JD Vance’s doughnut debacle
The doughnut shop incident has since gone viral, drawing sharp criticism and mockery on social media. Users on X (formerly Twitter) have ridiculed Vance’s clumsy approach, with comments highlighting the mismatch between his polished political persona and the awkward reality of the shop visit.
“JD Vance had a very awkward visit to a donut shop in Georgia earlier. Trust us, it’s worse than you even think,” Meidas Touch tweeted, sharing the now-famous video. Other users lamented the cringe factor, with one commenting, “I’m JD Vance…I’m running for vice president’….woman has no idea who he is and is just trying to do her job.”

Journalist Aaron Rupar echoed the sentiment, saying, “I don’t think my face will ever un-cringe after watching this,” while another user mocked the campaign’s attempt to overshadow the Democratic National Convention’s success, “Which is as laughably silly as trying to get JD Vance to order doughnuts in a non-cringe manner.”

Campaign trail: From doughnuts to debate
Post-doughnut, Vance’s day continued with a visit to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, where he was briefed on local issues related to illegal drugs and firearms. The day’s events culminated in a rally where Vance, alongside his running mate Donald Trump, attacked the Democrats’ stance on border security and immigration.
In his speech, Vance criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her handling of border issues, accusing her of contributing to drug problems and allowing illegal immigration to thrive. The GOP ticket’s focus on immigration aims to sway voters in crucial swing states like Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, where recent polls indicate a tightening race.