In what was intended to be a focused Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, Vice President J.D. Vance made awkward jokes, telling President Donald Trump he was “just here for the free coffee,” meaning the meeting, and insisted he wasn’t the unnamed “fat friend” Trump referenced in a story about the effectiveness of a weight-loss drug.
The White House gathering opened with national and international policy discussions before Trump recounted an anecdote about a successful business acquaintance who took a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic, only to see no benefits. Trump joked, “My friend took Ozempic. I told him — IT’S NOT WORKING!” to which Vance interjected, “He’s not talking about me!” Then later, when asked if he had something to say, Vance responded that he’s “only here for the free coffee.”
Trump had made clear he wanted future meetings to be shorter and less “boring,” responding to Cabinet sessions when Trump, 79, appeared fatigued and inattentive, raising questions about his health and suitability for the job.
Now’s not the time for jokes
Crucially, Vance’s tone-deaf jokes come amid a broader political climate fraught with tension. Nationwide protests have erupted over federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis that resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, at the hands of federal agents.
These protests follow mixed messages from the Trump administration over Operation Metro Surge, a massive immigration enforcement operation that deployed thousands of federal agents to Minnesota. While Trump border czar Tom Homan has suggested a shift toward more targeted enforcement, Trump himself criticized Pretti on social media, calling him an “agitator” and even a “possible insurrectionist.”
Vance’s sidelined role in the administration
Meanwhile, despite occasional high-profile appearances, some observers have noted that Vance has not consistently featured in public-facing decision-making on major strategic matters. For example, reportage on a key Trump administration foreign policy decision, such as the authorization of a Special Forces operation in Venezuela, noted Vance’s absence from the event and accompanying press briefing.
Reporting from The New Yorker noted Vance’s absence from a high-profile foreign policy event where other senior officials appeared alongside Trump. Separately, leaked recordings reported by People show Senator Ted Cruz criticizing both Trump and Vance, highlighting internal GOP tensions and ideological disagreements.
Watching from outside Washington, the tone of the Cabinet meeting felt disconnected from the national mood. As protests spread, investigations unfold, and communities argue over the role of federal immigration agents, hearing the president describe Cabinet sessions as “boring” and the vice president joke about free coffee landed awkwardly. With all that in mind, perhaps Vance really is here for the comic relief.
Published: Jan 30, 2026 02:20 pm