JD Vance jokes about skipping the inauguration to watch Ohio State in the College Football Playoff championship game.

Vice President-elect JD Vance, a proud Ohio State alumnus, said back in August that this Buckeyes team might be “the best” he’s seen in some time.

That will easily be settled when Ohio State takes on Notre Dame in the national championship game later this month, and Vance wants to be there to see it.

There’s just one slight complication.

President-elect Donald Trump and Vance will officially take office on Jan. 20 – the same day as the title game.

“Hopefully everyone is cool with me skipping the inauguration so I can go to the national title game,” Vance joked in a post on social media.

The former Ohio senator then responded to his own post on X with a meme offering two options: “Attend your own inauguration” or “Go watch the Buckeyes win a national title.”

The Buckeyes will compete for the program’s first national title since 2014 after defeating Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame, who defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Wednesday, is aiming for its 12th overall championship and first since 1988.

Vance will be cheering on his Buckeyes in Washington as President Trump is ushered in for a second term.

In January 2025, a humorous moment occurred when JD Vance, the U.S. Senator from Ohio, made light of the upcoming presidential inauguration. While many were preparing for the formalities of the political event, Vance, in his typical, down-to-earth style, cracked a joke about opting out of attending the ceremony. Instead, he quipped that he would prefer to stay home and watch his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes take on the competition in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

This remark, which quickly garnered attention, seemed to combine a typical political event — the presidential inauguration — with a beloved aspect of Ohio culture: football. It highlighted Vance’s tendency to use humor to connect with his constituents and the broader public, particularly in ways that resonate with the state’s identity. Ohio has a long-standing tradition of passionate college football fans, and the Ohio State Buckeyes are a central part of that culture. By making this joke, Vance showed that he understands the state’s priorities and knows how to make light of a situation that could otherwise be seen as an overly serious, political moment.

A Political Moment, but with a Personal Twist

For many, the inauguration is a solemn occasion, a moment when the country’s new president takes the oath of office and begins their term. The event is attended by top political figures, celebrities, and media outlets, all gathered to witness the peaceful transition of power. However, Vance’s choice to joke about skipping the event to stay home for a football game offers a refreshing departure from the usual political posturing associated with such an important event. It’s a rare moment of levity in a space often marked by formality and gravity.

By framing his decision to skip the inauguration as an opportunity to indulge in a quintessentially American pastime — college football — Vance was able to express his personality and show a more relatable side to his constituents. The joke not only underscored his ties to Ohio but also presented an image of a man who is in tune with the interests of everyday people.

Ohio State and College Football: A Cultural Phenomenon

The connection between JD Vance and the Ohio State Buckeyes cannot be overlooked. Ohio is a state that bleeds scarlet and gray, with college football being one of the most unifying forces among its residents. The Buckeyes’ fan base is notorious for its passion, and their games often feel like a statewide holiday, drawing people together across political lines, socio-economic status, and geographical divides.

For JD Vance, who rose to prominence with his memoir Hillbilly Elegy, a story about his upbringing in Ohio and Kentucky, making a joke about Ohio State football was an easy way to connect with voters. In his political career, Vance has made efforts to emphasize his deep Ohio roots and connect with the concerns of everyday working-class citizens. Ohio State football, a dominant force in collegiate sports, is not just a game but a cultural touchstone for many in the state.

The College Football Playoff National Championship, where Ohio State was competing, is one of the biggest games in the sport, often attracting millions of viewers. Vance’s decision to joke about watching the game over attending the inauguration speaks to the unique, sometimes outsize role that college football plays in the lives of Ohioans. It also speaks to the power of sports to transcend politics and bring people together in moments of shared enthusiasm, regardless of party affiliation.

A Break from Partisanship

At a time when American politics often feels hyper-partisan, the choice to make such a light-hearted joke also provided a temporary reprieve from the usual tensions that dominate political discourse. By referencing a universally enjoyed event — the College Football Playoff — Vance was able to momentarily shift the conversation away from the typical political divisions.

The joke underscores how sports can offer common ground, even when the political climate feels more divisive than ever. Sports fandom, and especially college football, transcends party lines. Whether one is a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, if you’re an Ohioan, there’s a good chance that you care about Ohio State’s football team. Vance’s joke about missing the inauguration to watch the game appealed to that shared identity — one of pride in Ohio State and a love for the game of football.

Moreover, this humor gave Vance the chance to downplay the importance of the inauguration, at least in his own context, presenting it as a ceremonial event that could easily be skipped in favor of something with a more personal significance. While the inauguration is undoubtedly a historical occasion, for many in Ohio, the Buckeyes’ championship run held more immediate excitement and emotional weight.

Vance’s Political Persona

JD Vance’s political persona has been shaped by his background as someone who has navigated both the rural heartland and elite institutions. As an author of Hillbilly Elegy, Vance presented himself as a figure deeply connected to his working-class roots in Appalachian Ohio, and his political career has often reflected a desire to speak for the disenfranchised. His joke about the inauguration, while humorous, also reinforced his image as a relatable figure who does not take himself too seriously.

In addition, Vance’s lighthearted approach to the inauguration underscored his ability to engage in self-deprecation and humor without compromising his political ideals. While political figures often feel pressured to adhere to the solemnity of certain occasions, Vance demonstrated that it’s possible to maintain one’s authenticity while poking fun at the more ceremonial aspects of politics.