It’s a weird time to be a Republican politician, and no one knows that better than Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).

The GOP’s attempt to take back the White House has taken a hit recently after Minnesota governor-turned-presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz started calling Republicans “weird” for their efforts to ban books and interfere in people’s private medical decisions.

Vance has been hit especially hard with the tag, both because of resurfaced attacks he made against “childless cat ladies” and a debunked internet joke that the Ohio senator wrote about having sex with a couch in his book, “Hillbilly Elegy.”

So it was natural that a reporter would ask Vance for his opinion on the so-called “weird argument” on Wednesday at the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, airport.

“We’ve heard a lot from Democrats using the word ‘weird’: Calling you ‘weird,’ calling former President Trump ‘weird.’ What do you make of that ‘weird’ argument?” the reporter asked.

Vance, 40, answered in his best “you kids get off my lawn” voice.

“I think that the ‘weird’ argument honestly came from a bunch of 24-year-old social media interns who were bullied in school,” he said. “And they decided they’re going to project that onto the entire Trump campaign.”

The senator then listed off Republican talking points about what he thinks makes the Democratic ticket weird, and finished by calling himself a “normal guy.”

“I’m a normal guy who wants to live the American dream and wants all of you and your kids to be able to live the American dream. That’s why I’m in it. If those people want to call me ‘weird,’ I think it’s a badge of honor.”

You can hear the complete exchange below.

Reporter: What do you make of that weird argument?

JD Vance: "I think this argument honestly came from a bunch of 24-year-old social media interns who were bullied in school and they decided they're going to project that onto the entire Trump campaign." pic.twitter.com/Dxb9mUoAiH

— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) August 7, 2024

But many people on X, formerly Twitter, thought Vance’s defense of his normalcy was, well, a bit weird.

It took him 10 days to come up with "badge of honor" eh?

— Dan?? (@DanInPittsburgh) August 7, 2024

bold move, Cotton - now he's writing off 24-year olds, social media interns, and kids who were bullied in school

— Ryan McCarthy (@ryrymcc) August 7, 2024

It bothers him. Because JD knows he’s weird.
It’s also weird how he won’t be honest with the reporters and just admit it.

— Enigmatic Realist (@EnigmaticLib) August 7, 2024

He's so visibly butthurt. Love it.

— Courtyard Brewery (@CourtyardBrew) August 7, 2024

The compassion he has for bullied young people is astounding. He really is an unkind person.

— Bee Gutjahr (@pixiemenace) August 7, 2024

If you have to say you’re a normal guy, you’re not a normal guy @JDVance
In politics if you’re explaining you’re losing, you couch fucking freak!#JVVance #CouchHumper #couchfreak
#creepyVance #weirdVance #magaiscreepy

— FootyATL ?????? (@footyATL) August 7, 2024

so off-putting, so bad….lmao.

he’s becoming confident in his incel-weird energy and this plays to like 12% of chronically online comment-sectioners.

— proqmatic ???????? (@proqmatic) August 7, 2024

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