JD Vance SLAMMED for ‘Gross’ Cannibalism Joke About Ozempic — Viewers Left Stunned by His Ignorance

JD Vance has come under fire after making a very strange and uncomfortable joke about cannibalism while talking about the medication Ozempic. The moment happened during a podcast interview with Theo Von, and it didn’t take long for people to start calling it “cringe,” “gross,” and completely out of touch. Many viewers were stunned not only by what he said, but also by how unaware he seemed about what Ozempic is actually used for.

In the interview, Vance talked about seeing a TV commercial for what he described as an emergency medication pack. He claimed that he thought two of the medicines included were Ivermectin and Ozempic. Then, in a confused and joking tone, he asked what kind of emergency would require Ozempic.

That’s when he made a bizarre leap and brought up the Donner Party, a historical group of American pioneers who got stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter of 1846.

They ran out of food and, according to historical accounts, some members resorted to eating the bodies of people who had already died to survive. Vance said, “I thought, like, you know, if you have a Donner Party situation… we gotta suppress our appetites,” implying that Ozempic might be useful to stop people from wanting to eat — a tasteless reference to cannibalism.

People were shocked that a public figure — especially someone in such a high position — would make such a dark joke about something so serious. Viewers called him awkward, inappropriate, and ignorant. One person wrote online, “I’m sorry, what? Did he just joke about cannibalism? He’s truly the most awkward person ever.

Another said, “What? Who even thinks like this. Gross.” The reaction wasn’t just about the joke being off-putting. It also raised concerns about how little Vance seems to know about the medication he was joking about.

Ozempic is not just some random drug. It’s a serious medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps people manage their blood sugar levels and avoid life-threatening complications. While it has recently become popular because some people lose weight while taking it, that’s only a side effect. Its real purpose is to help diabetics maintain their health. The fact that Vance joked about it as if it were some kind of appetite control drug for extreme situations showed a lack of understanding and, some say, a lack of empathy.

Many people online started criticizing him not just for the joke, but for acting like he knew what he was talking about when he clearly didn’t. One person posted, “Why is he talking like an expert about Ozempic when he clearly has no idea what it actually does?” Another person tagged Vance and asked, “Did you know Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes? Or do you just say anything and expect your audience to believe it?” Others accused him of insulting people who actually rely on this medication to live healthy lives. They said it was disrespectful and showed how disconnected he is from everyday people dealing with real health issues.

The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, with more and more people expressing their discomfort. Some were embarrassed that someone in his position would make such a comment on a public platform. Others felt the moment revealed something deeper  that Vance might be more focused on trying to sound funny or clever than actually understanding the things he talks about.

This incident also came at a time when the public is paying more attention to politicians’ words and actions. Jokes that might have once been brushed off are now being looked at more seriously, especially when they touch on sensitive topics like illness, survival, or historical tragedies. In this case, many people felt Vance crossed a line, making light of a medication millions of diabetics depend on and casually mentioning cannibalism in the process.

Overall, the backlash shows just how important it is for public figures to choose their words carefully. Joking about things you don’t fully understand, especially serious health conditions, can backfire quickly  and in Vance’s case, it definitely did.