JD Vance’s Halloween costume has drawn ridicule online after the US vice-president shared a video of himself dressed as Albus Dumbledore while holding his baby son, Alec.
Vance, 41, wore a long grey wig and robe inspired by the Harry Potter headmaster. Alec, who was born in July, was dressed in a knitted hat with pointed ears resembling the house elf Dobby.
“Hey guys, Vice President Dumbledore here with little Dobby the Elf,” Vance said in the video. “Wishing you a Happy Halloween. Have fun, be safe, eat a lot of candy.”
The light-hearted family post prompted a wave of criticism from social media users, with one writing: “Holy s***. This dude will never be president.” Another said: “JD Vance literally just keeps hitting all new lows.”
Some users also mocked Vance’s wig by referring to a resurfaced photograph in which he was seen wearing blonde hair. Others recalled a college costume and made comments about him wearing a dress.
Vance’s family had adopted a Harry Potter theme for Halloween. Second Lady Usha Vance appeared in a sorting hat, while their eldest son Ewan was dressed as Harry Potter. Their other children, Vivek and Mirabel, were shown wearing spider and dragon costumes.
Not all the reaction was negative. Some users defended the vice-president as a father enjoying Halloween with his children, while others praised the costumes and focused on Alec.
“Did you know October 31st is usually known as a fun holiday called Halloween?” one supporter wrote. “It’s where people dress up as things such as monsters, famous cartoons, and Harry Potter characters.”
Another said: “Happy Halloween to you and your family, Mr Vice President! Great costumes. Kids grow up fast, so enjoy every minute of it.” A further comment described “Vice President Dumbledore and baby Dobby” as “the most wholesome thing on the timeline today”.
The reaction comes as Vance and his Republican allies face a difficult campaign ahead of November’s midterm elections, with polls forecasting heavy losses for the party in both chambers of Congress.
Vance was also criticised last week during a CNN town hall in Ohio, after making a joke while answering a young woman’s question about rising prices and affordability.
He thanked her for the question before counting the questions he had received during the event and saying he had “only been asked one question about Husted’s a**”, referring to Ohio Senate candidate Jon Husted and a question attributed to television host Jesse Watters.
Vance later acknowledged that Republicans had not paid enough attention to affordability for young people, while presenting himself as an exception.
