Vice President JD Vance found himself in an awkward moment during a White House press conference with President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The event, held in the Oval Office, focused on the unveiling of the new F-47 fighter jet, a sixth-generation aircraft named after Trump as the 47th President of the United States.
During the press conference, Trump praised his administration’s steel tariffs, claiming they saved the US steel industry, and criticized former President Joe Biden’s energy policies. When Trump called on Vance to speak, calling him a “very good vice president,” Vance’s response was unexpectedly subdued.
“I am just here to watch the show, sir,” Vance said, adding, “I think airplanes are pretty cool. So I wanted to check this out,” referring to the F-47 jets.
The F-47, which Trump described as the “most advanced, capable, and lethal aircraft ever built,” is expected to cost $20 billion. Trump also announced that Boeing will build the Air Force’s future fighter jet, with Gen. David Allvin, chief of staff of the Air Force, emphasizing its role in shaping modern aerial warfare.
However, critics have questioned the necessity and cost of the program, especially as the Pentagon continues to struggle with the production of the F-35, which is projected to cost taxpayers over $1.7 trillion over its lifespan.
Vance, once a vocal critic of Trump, has since become a staunch supporter and is widely seen as a potential GOP presidential candidate in 2028. He recently won a straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference, securing 61% of the vote, far ahead of other potential nominees.
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