Staff Reports
The White House was buzzing with Buckeye pride this week as President Trump welcomed the Ohio State football team to celebrate their 2024 national championship victory. But what was meant to be a routine ceremony quickly turned into a viral sensation, thanks to Vice President JD Vance’s now-infamous trophy fumble. As an Ohio State alumnus and lifelong fan, Vance was eager to share in the team’s glory—perhaps a little too eager, as it turned out.
During the South Lawn festivities, Vance attempted to hoist the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy for the cameras. Unbeknownst to him, the trophy is designed in two detachable pieces. As he lifted it, the top separated from the base, sending the base clattering to the ground, while running back TreVeyon Henderson made a quick save on the golden football top. The crowd gasped, the Marine Corps Band played on, and the moment was instantly immortalized across social media, with memes and jokes flying faster than a Buckeye touchdown pass.
To his credit, Vance handled the mishap with the kind of self-deprecating humor that’s all too rare in Washington. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to quip, “I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy, so I decided to break it.” The players and coaches, including head coach Ryan Day, helped reassemble the trophy, and the celebration continued with plenty of laughter and good-natured ribbing. Even President Trump got in on the fun, praising the Buckeyes for their resilience and taking a playful jab at their rivals from Michigan.
Of course, the left-leaning media and online critics tried to turn the moment into a metaphor for the administration, but most Americans saw it for what it was: a lighthearted, human moment that brought some levity to the political stage. Vance’s willingness to laugh at himself and keep the focus on the team’s achievement is a refreshing change from the usual finger-pointing and blame games that dominate the news cycle.
In the end, the Buckeyes left the White House with their championship trophy—and a new story to tell about the day their biggest fan gave them a memory for the ages. The event was a reminder that, despite the constant noise of politics, there’s still room for camaraderie, humility, and a good laugh. And for Ohio State fans, the only thing sweeter than another national title is knowing their team—and their vice president—can take a fumble in stride and keep marching on.
