WATCH: JD Vance fumbles Ohio State trophy, gets trolled online
Vice President of the United Stated JD Vance accidentally dropped part of Ohio State’s national championship football trophy during a White House ceremony on Monday, drawing audible gasps from the crowd and prompting quick reflexes from Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson.
The incident occurred shortly after President Donald Trump, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day, and Vance delivered remarks honouring Ohio State’s 2024 college football championship on the South Lawn.
As the vice president, an Ohio State alumnus, attempted to lift the trophy, the golden football-shaped top detached from its black base.
Henderson, standing nearby, caught the top midair while the base hit the ground and rolled. Vance scrambled to retrieve it as players and attendees looked on, some wincing as the Marine Corps Band continued playing “We Are the Champions.”
Henderson and Day helped Vance reassemble the trophy. The vice president then held only the top, cradling it as surrounding players laughed.
Images and video of the fumble spread quickly online. Vance later addressed the moment with humour on social media, writing on X, “I didn't want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it.”
During his speech, Vance had earlier joked about the Buckeyes’ rivalry with Michigan, pointing out an audience member wearing a Michigan hat and telling the crowd, “I’m about to tell the Secret Service, ‘You’ve got a dangerous weapon, sir.’”
Trump praised Ohio State’s title run, referencing the team’s challenges, including a surprising home loss to unranked Michigan in November. “We won’t talk about it,” Trump said, noting the Buckeyes’ fourth consecutive defeat to their rivals.
Social media had a field day with Vance's unfortunate incident, with many users on X (formerly Twitter) trolling the Vice President.
— Mostly Peaceful Memes (@MostlyPeacefull) April 14, 2025
Only this dumbass could do that 😭
— Sycamore’s Source (@sycamoressource) April 14, 2025
A freaking 40 year old man, so weak and unqualified for the job, and incapable of carrying a 20-lb heavy trophy.
— Evaristus Odinikaeze (@odinikaeze) April 14, 2025
JD sucks.
Did he blame it on Biden?
The ceremony concluded with laughter and photos, the fumbled trophy back in one piece — and a viral moment added to the Buckeyes’ championship celebration.