'You Can't Boo Me'— JD Vance Invokes His VP Status During A Tense Air Force Graduation Speech

Vice President JD Vance appeared Thursday at the Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony, where he delivered the commencement address, while appearing to joke that the graduates weren’t allowed to boo him.

Per People magazine, the statement likely referred to several recent commencement addresses in which speakers were booed after mentioning artificial intelligence.

“You know, this is the only commencement speech that I’m giving this year and so I’ve watched a few highlights of graduation speeches where this or that corporate leader will discuss artificial intelligence, AI, and be met with literal boos,” Vance said near the end of the joke. “Now, you can’t boo me. I’m the vice president of the United States.”

Vance: You can’t boo me. I’m the Vice President of the United States pic.twitter.com/LpwaFmp8uD

— FactPost (@factpostnews) May 28, 2026

Vance also referenced Pope Leo’s recent papal encyclical about artificial intelligence.

“I want to endorse that sentiment and make it more specific to each and every one of you,” Vance added. “One of the things that makes Americans unique, that makes you as war fighters unique, is that we wage war justly.”

“In recent conversations with aides and allies, President Trump often interjects with a question about his vice president: Does JD Vance have what it takes to go all the way?,” the Times reported about Trump’s supposed doubts. “He usually answers his own question: He’s not so sure.”

“In recent conversations with aides and allies, Trump often interjects with a question about his vice president: Does JD Vance have what it takes to go all the way? He usually answers his own question: He’s not so sure,” write @katierogers and @tylerpager https://t.co/hHpVPm0S8F

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) May 30, 2026

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“When he conducts those polls in private, Mr. Trump often compares Mr. Vance’s performance to his own achievements. He has told several allies that Mr. Vance has never won a tough race without his help. (Mr. Trump’s endorsement got Mr. Vance over the finish line in a tight race for an Ohio Senate seat.) He has brought up the number of vacations Mr. Vance has taken as vice president. (Mr. Trump does not generally take them), the Times said.

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