U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during an event with Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), at Ex-Guard Industries, a manufacturing facility in Des Moines, Iowa, May 5, 2026. REUTERS/Jim Vondruska
Vice President JD Vance stumbled into an awkward silence during his speech in Iowa on Tuesday.
Vance spoke at a manufacturing facility in the key election state during a rally for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), who PBS News reported is facing a "competitive" race to retain his seat this November. During the speech, Vance claimed that the Trump administration is working to lower costs for farmers and help them sell more ethanol, a popular biofuel made from corn. However, Vance stumbled when he went to acknowledge some of the local people the Trump administration is working with on the policy.
"We also know there are a lot of farmers who are struggling with high fertilizer prices. As the President has said, we've got a little 'blip' in the Middle East. We have some business to take care of on the foreign policy side," Vance said. "But you know what we're doing? We're working with the congressman on a policy to help farmers in this great state access to the products they need. We're working on it every single day."
Vance lost his place in his speech while describing the efforts the Trump administration was making to increase ethanol sales. He stared at his notebook blankly. An awkward silence fell over the crowd.
"Zach, you're going to have to help me out with her name," Vance said. "I lost my page."
"Ok. Alright," Vance said awkwardly as he flipped through the pages.