JD Vance has received criticism online after some claimed he donned a similar outfit to Volodymyr Zelensky, who was lambasted for his attire during the infamous clash in the Oval Office. The Ukrainian President’s outfit choice – a military-style black top with the Ukrainian trident – was one of the headlines from the explosive meeting alongside the US Vice President and Donald Trump last month.
The US President said Mr Zelensky was “all dressed up” as he welcomed him to the White House, before a journalist from the right-wing Real America’s Voice questioned whether the Ukrainian owned a suit, saying: “A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office.” Mr Vance, who called Mr Zelensky “disrespectful” during the fiery meeting, could be seen smiling as the reporter put Mr Zelensky on the spot. But now some people online have made comparisons between Mr Zelensky’s outfit and the clothes donned by Mr Vance during a visit to Greenland earlier this week.
The US VP was pictured in a black quarter-zip as he spoke to reporters at an American military base on the island.
One person on X accused Mr Vance of being a “pathetic copy”.
The user shared two photos of the respective politicians in their outfits, with the caption: “Incomparable original version VS. a pathetic copy.”
Another person replied: “Where is JD’s suit?”
However, a large number of people also stuck up for Mr Vance in the replies, with several referencing Mr Vance’s time in the US military as a marine.
One user even said: “JD Vance did it better.”
Some may forgive Mr Vance for not wearing a suit during his visit to Pituffik Space Base where he said “it’s cold as s*** here” to describe the freezing temperatures.
Mr Vance’s visit to Greenland comes as the Trump administration continues to express a wish to take over the world’s biggest island which he says the US needs for national security purposes.
Greenland is rich in natural resources and offers a number of strategic advantages, especially as shipping through the Arctic region becomes easier due to warming temperatures.
Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark and has been part of the NATO nation for 600 years.
Mr Vance said during his visit: “Our message to Denmark is very simple: you have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.
“You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people.
“We need to ensure that America is leading in the Arctic.”
Mr Trump on Saturday said he was not taking military force “off the table” in regards to acquiring Greenland.