Vice President JD Vance went to Montana to rally Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, but his complaint about rising gas prices gave critics an opening to turn his own words against President Donald Trump.
Days after Trump declined to openly endorse him for the 2028 presidential race, Vance took the stage Monday at Yellowstone International Airport and complained that prices “skyrocket every time some tinpot dictator decides to throw a tantrum.”
The vice president appeared to be taking aim at foreign leaders. But critics quickly pointed out that his description sounded an awful lot like his own boss, whose handling of the war with Iran has fueled uncertainty in oil markets and sent gas prices through the roof.
“Calling your own boss a tinpot dictator is a pretty aggressive opening move for a presidential campaign that’s still two years away,” one social media user wrote.
Another offered a shorter prediction: “Trump will be furious.”
A third spelled out the connection: “The tinpot dictator throwing the tantrum just happens to be Vance’s boss.”
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The awkward remark came less than a week after Trump publicly pumped the brakes on Vance’s apparent confidence that a presidential endorsement would be waiting if he decides to run in 2028.
During an Oct. 20 Oval Office event, a reporter asked Trump about Vance’s prediction, made a day earlier during an interview with Mark Halperin on the 2WAY platform.
“Look I think if I run the president will endorse me,” Vance had told Halperin, before acknowledging that he had not discussed it with Trump.
With Vance standing behind him, the president offered praise but stopped well short of backing his vice president.
“He’s a very talented person, and he’s a very good person, but we’ve literally, I don’t think we’ve ever talked about it,” Trump said.
“No, sir, I said that too,” Vance interjected.
“It’s early,” Trump insisted. “We have to get through the midterms. We’ll see how it goes.”
That exchange already had critics calling the public brush-off “brutal.” Now Vance’s rally remarks gave them another reason to question whether he realized how his words would land.
“Does this dude ever realize wtf he’s saying?” another commenter asked.
There is no indication Vance intended to criticize Trump. But his complaint about tantrum-throwing dictators invited an uncomfortable comparison as the administration faces scrutiny over the conflict with Iran and what Americans are paying at the pump.
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded fell six cents over the past week to $4.27, according to AAA. Still, the decline offers limited relief after August and September set monthly records, with October on track to become the most expensive October on record.
The seasonal switch to cheaper winter-blend gasoline has helped bring prices down. But high crude oil prices and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have limited those savings.
Trump said Sunday that he was still weighing an agreement with Iran against taking action to “finish them off,” according to CBS News. He has also left open the possibility of another round of major U.S. strikes, while Iranian officials have said indirect negotiations are continuing without a change in Tehran’s position.
Against that backdrop, Vance’s attempt to blame rising prices on a foreign dictator’s tantrum became easy ammunition for critics of the president.
The rally offered other distractions, too.
Two hecklers behind Vance were removed after shouting about the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. A camera shot of the crowd also highlighted the relatively modest turnout, with about 200 people gathered to hear from the vice president and other Montana Republicans, according to local reports.
The appearance was meant to build momentum ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections as Republicans fight to retain control of Congress.
Instead, the interruptions and Vance’s easily repurposed remark competed with the message Republican officials came to deliver.
The event featured music, campaign merchandise and appearances by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, and Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy. Senate candidate Kurt Alme and Aaron Flint, who is running for Montana’s western House seat, also addressed the crowd.
Speakers repeatedly returned to the phrase “common sense” while urging voters to support Republican candidates.
“It’s literally common sense versus crazy,” Gianforte said.
Vance spoke for just under 30 minutes, closing with an appeal to send Alme and Flint to Washington.
“So on November the third, let’s send Kurt Alme to the United States Senate, let’s send Aaron Flint to the United States House,” he said. “Let’s get it done, Montana, for your children and for mine. God bless you and God bless America.”
