JD Vance Fumbles Name While Speaking at Iowa Event

Vice President JD Vance lost his place in his prepared remarks for about 30 seconds while speaking at a manufacturing facility in Des Moines on Tuesday. The event marked Vance's first visit to Iowa as vice president. He was in the state to campaign for GOP Rep.

Zach Nunn. While discussing Iowa farmers and the need to get E15 to market, Vance paused and asked for assistance. What is uh this? What is uh, Zach you’re gonna have to help me out with her name here, I lost my page here,” Vance said from the podium.

He then looked through pages on the lectern while supporters stood behind him holding “Made in America” signs. “Okay alright, okay there we go: Sarah Trone Garriot,” he said, referring to a state senator who is Nunn’s likely Democratic challenger. ” Clips of the moment spread on social media, receiving hundreds of thousands of views.

Some users posted mocking comments comparing the performance to a robot or suggesting a cognitive test. Others noted that losing one's place happens frequently during live speeches. Several social media users contrasted the vice president's delivery with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s White House briefing held the same day.

Rubio fielded questions without notes and included references to Nineties rap in his responses.

Rubio are viewed as potential candidates for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination. The two men, described as close friends, have not publicly discussed their plans. A March survey of Conservative Political Action Conference attendees found 53 percent preferred Vance as the nominee while 35 percent chose Rubio.

In a 2025 poll, support stood at 61 percent for Vance and 3 percent for Rubio. President Donald Trump has mentioned both men as possible successors. “They’re both very capable,” Trump said. “I do think this: The combination of JD and Marco would be very hard to be beaten, I think.