JD Vance's Lent Transformation: From Social Media Bully to Quiet Observer

Usha Vance had a simple request for her husband: “Be nicer on social media.” But did JD Vance listen? Apparently, he’s trying—at least for Lent.

This year, the vice president made a bold move by deleting X from his phone, a platform where he’s known for his fiery, combative persona. Gone are the days of name-calling and personal attacks; Vance has been notably quieter online lately. Just a few months ago, he was embroiled in petty spats, hurling insults like “dummys” and “garbage” at anyone who dared to cross him.

Remember September? That’s when he called someone a “dips---” after being accused of spreading false information about a shooting at a Texas ICE facility. And who could forget January, when he likened Senator Tammy Duckworth—a war veteran who lost both legs—to Forrest Gump? “Watching Tammy Duckworth obsessively interrupt Marco Rubio during this hearing is like watching Forrest Gump argue with Isaac Newton,” he tweeted. Ouch.

But February rolled around, and something shifted. Social media users noticed Vance had gone unusually silent for over a week. His last nasty jab came on February 3, when he accused Rep. Jerry Nadler of “despicable behavior.” Since then, his posts have taken on a surprisingly professional tone, a stark contrast to his usual controversial antics.

What’s behind this sudden change? Sources close to Vance revealed that he deleted X from his phone as part of his Lenten sacrifice, which began on February 18. Many Christians give up indulgences during this period to reflect on self-discipline—think coffee, alcohol, or even social media scrolling.

While Vance did manage to post during Lent—ending on April 2—he seems to have limited himself to other devices. The question remains: has he reinstalled X now that Lent is over? So far, he hasn’t returned to his old ways of public spats and online brawls.

Interestingly, the decision to delete X came after Usha’s advice. “I married up,” Vance admitted at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February. “One piece of advice she came like a week ago was that I should be nicer on social media... I don’t know if I’ll take that advice.”

As the dust settles on this social media experiment, it’s unclear whether JD Vance will stick to his newfound restraint or revert back to his old habits. For now, the vice president is enjoying a quieter online presence—much to Usha’s relief.