Vice President JD Vance ignited a wave of online debate after sharing images and commentary from a physical training session with the United States Navy's elite SEAL teams. The event, which took place on Monday, December 23, 2025, at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, California, was framed by the Vice President as a humbling experience but was met with sharp criticism from many observers who questioned its timing and purpose.
A Day of Gruelling Training with the Elite
Through his official social media account, Vance posted a series of photos depicting his activities alongside the special warfare operators. The visuals showed the Vice President engaged in classic SEAL conditioning exercises: jogging along the beach, participating in team log carries, and scaling rope netting. One prominent image featured Vance standing patriotically before an American flag. In a accompanying message on the platform X, Vance acknowledged the extreme difficulty of the SEALs' standard training, quipping that the team "took it easy on me and I still feel like I got hit by a freight train."
Swift Backlash and Accusations of 'Cosplay'
The response from a segment of the online public was immediate and largely negative. Critics swiftly labelled the event a staged publicity stunt, particularly as it occurred during an ongoing federal government shutdown that has left many workers unpaid. One user dismissed the effort as "nice cosplay as a Navy SEAL," adding that true leadership involves solving domestic problems rather than seeking photo opportunities.
Another critic called it "a desperate photo op for a Vice President who cares more about his military 'aesthetic' than actually governing." The sentiment was echoed by others who used the derisive nickname "GI Jello" and compared the session to influencer boxer Jake Paul's bouts, suggesting such optics are misleading.
Public Calls to Focus on Domestic Issues
Beyond accusations of vanity, a common thread in the criticism was a demand for the administration to address pressing economic concerns at home. Several comments directly challenged Vance and the President to turn their attention to issues like high housing costs and grocery prices. "Cool, man—but when you're done cosplaying, can you and your boss do something about housing and grocery prices?" wrote one individual, summarizing a prevalent frustration among the detractors.
The episode highlights the delicate balance political figures must strike when engaging in symbolic demonstrations of toughness or patriotism, especially during times of tangible public hardship. While intended to project strength and connection with the military, the activity was interpreted by a vocal group as a tone-deaf distraction from the ongoing government shutdown and economic anxieties facing many citizens.
