JD Vance reveals why he made viral ‘Jim Halpert’ face during VP debate with Tim Walz

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) revealed Thursday that he wasn’t trying to give a knowing look at the camera during his debate with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz – a glance that went viral on social media. 

Vance, 40, was frequently caught side-eyeing the CBS News camera as Walz responded to questions from the moderators Tuesday.

Several social media users compared the GOP vice presidential nominee’s mugging to the way Jim Halpert, a character from the hit show “The Office,” would routinely acknowledge ridiculousness on the show by smirking into the camera. 

However, the Ohio senator explained during an appearance on “The Ruthless Podcast” that he was simply trying to keep track of when his turn to speak would be. 

Vance acknowledged that was “nervous as hell” during the debate but trying not to show it. REUTERS

“This thing that has gone super viral of me kind of doing the Jim from ‘The Office’ thing, looking into the camera,  it’s because – I wish I could take credit for it – but it’s because I guess the timer is right by the camera,” Vance said. 

“I was trying to, like, you know, pay attention to what [Walz is] saying, but then you have to be ready for, like, when his time’s up because then it’s your turn to speak,” he added. “And so I was looking at the timer.”

Vance was appreciative that social media users found the glances amusing despite the very practical reasoning behind them. 

“It spawned a million viral memes,” he said. “So, I’m glad they did it like that.” 

Social media users charged that Vance kept “breaking the fourth wall” by subtly shifting his attention toward the camera. 

“JD Vance keeps breaking the fourth wall. Very Jim Halpert. He’s appealing to millennial women,” posted X user Brittany Martinez, one of several who took note of his side-eye. 

Vance explained that he was trying to look at the timer, which was positioned next to the camera. CBS News
Several social media users likened Vance’s glances toward the camera to Jim Halpert’s facial expressions on “The Office.” © NBC Universal, Inc.

Vance admitted to “The Ruthless Podcast” hosts that he was “nervous as hell” during the debate but felt things were going well for him. 

The senator said he knew he had won the debate when his wife, Usha Vance, joined him onstage after the closing remarks .

“My wife comes out at the very end … and I look at Usha’s face, and i just knew – I was like, oh s—, we must have done a very good job,” Vance said.  “Usha doesn’t lie to me, and her face especially doesn’t lie to me, and I knew that minute that we had a very good debate.”