JD Vance’s resurfaced “I’m a never Trump guy” comments have been remixed into a viral TikTok sound.
The Ohio senator, who is now Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s running mate, has been criticized for changing his stance on the former president, whom he publicly criticized in the past.
While promoting his memoir Hillbilly Elegy during a 2016 interview with Charlie Rose, Vance said, “I’m a never Trump guy.
“I never liked him. And I—but I noticed this willingness from people who think a lot like I do that, look, we told you so. To all these white working-class voters, we told you so,” said.
Stephen Maturen / Stringer/Getty Images News
The Daily Show highlighted additional past remarks from Vance, such as referring to Trump as “America’s Hitler” and calling him a “terrible candidate.”
Now, the catchy song, featuring a beat drop and looping the phrases “I’m a never Trump guy” and “I never liked him,” has gained significant traction online. The original video of the remix has amassed over 282,200 likes and 2.7 million views on TikTok.
Production Company Behind Viral Sound Speak Out
Carl ‘Casa Di’ Dixon (@casadimusic), a music producer from the Los Angeles House of Evo collective behind the viral TikTok sound, told Newsweek: “The catchiness of the vocal by JD Vance caught our attention. We knew that the contradicting nature of Vance talking about Trump, especially as his VP candidate would get a lot of reactions. We also like to highlight the weird and crazy nature of Trump’s campaign.”
The team behind the viral tune has had many viral hits before, including “One Margarita” and “Baddie Friend.”
@casadimusic/@casadimusic
“This is our first political sound to get this amount of attention. The energy has been electric and Democrats are riding on a high, it seems. We hope that these sounds can encourage people to get out and vote,” Dixon said.
The production company revealed they plan on making more sounds to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign in the run-up to the November election.
KamalaHQ and other Democrats Jump On Viral Trend
Since releasing the sound on July 25, a whopping 3,727 TikTok videos have used the soundtrack.
Kamala HQ (@kamalaHQ), a verified TikTok account that has coined itself “the official rapid response page of Vice President Harris’s presidential campaign,” picked up on the trend.
Their video, which has garnered 584,500 likes and 5.4 million views, shows two women lip-syncing to the catchy sound bite and highlighting other controversial remarks by Vance in the background.
Users were ecstatic to see the sound make the popular page.
“I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS EDIT TO MAKE IT ONTO THIS PAGE,” said one commenter.
“I need this song at day parties for the rest of the summer,” said another viewer.
Leigha VandenToorn (@leighachristine) choreographed a dance routine to accompany the track.
“This is the official dance,” she wrote as the caption of the video which racked up 220,600 likes and 1.2 million views.
TikTok music trends are entwining politics and popular culture, mobilizing young people, VandenToorn told Newsweek.
“I think that’s a genius way of getting younger people interested and involved in the upcoming election,” VandenToorn said.
“Before now, it didn’t feel like either candidate was speaking to us. Social media is here to stay, and I think we’re finally using it in a productive way to get more people to the polls this fall.
“The rise of this remix and people dancing to it is a perfect example of the power of social media and how we can come together in a seemingly lighthearted and fun way to make an impact on very real and important decisions,” she said.
TikTok users loved the new dance routine.
“But why is it already stuck in my head?” asked a commenter named Corey.
“I’m serious question what is the move called where it looks like you’re flipping pancakes? It’s more toward the end. I want to learn how to do it,” said TikToker Britt.
“This eats,” Saylavee commenter.
Other TikTokers channeled their creativity into different routines. Holden Jud (@holdenjud) shared his fun dance steps which included waving his arms and side-stepping.
“I’m a never Trump guy too, Vance,” he wrote on the text overlaying the video.
Does JD Vance’s Chance as VP Hang in the Balance?
Vance’s future as Trump’s running mate remains unclear amid rising speculation the Republican presidential nominee could reconsider his choice.
Since accepting his role as Trump’s running mate at the Republican National Convention on July 17, Vance has faced backlash for various remarks, including saying that “childless cat ladies” who are “miserable at their own lives” are running the country.
Paul Begala, an ex-advisor to former President Bill Clinton, suggested on Thursday that Trump could ditch Vance for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who exited the presidential race earlier this year.
Bill Pugliano / Stringer/Getty Images News
Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said on Sunday that if Trump decides to change his choice for running mate, he would have around 10 days to do so.
Trump’s team has continued to deny claims that he plans on replacing Vance on the Republican ticket.
Elsewhere, Florida pollster Kevin Wagner suggested JD Vance could negatively impact the success of the 2024 Trump campaign.
The former president has since defended JD Vance’s comments in a Fox News interview on Friday.
“He’s not against anything. He loves family. It’s very important to him,” Trump said.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
