Just before Donald Trump’s congressional address on March 4, a lip-reading expert alleges that JD Vance said some unsettling things during what he assumed was a private conversation.
Vance’s political evolution has been nothing short of dramatic. Back in 2016—the same year his book *Hillbilly Elegy* hit the shelves—Vance didn’t hold back his contempt for Trump, even going so far as to label him an “idiot,” compare him to Nixon, and at his worst, call him “America’s Hitler.”
According to Reuters, a private Facebook message from Vance in 2016 read, “I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical a**hole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler.” When that comment made headlines in 2022, a spokesperson noted that while the remark wasn’t disputed, it no longer reflected Vance’s current views.
In a notable turnaround, Vance has become one of Trump’s staunchest supporters, climbing the ranks to secure a vice presidential spot.
Congressional Speech Details
On March 4, during the lead-up to the president’s bold, impassioned address, House Speaker Mike Johnson managed the proceedings on the House floor. Just as Trump was about to declare that his disruptive political approach was “just getting started,” Vice President Vance was seen chatting with Johnson near a live microphone.
So, what exactly did he say?
The “Full Reckoning” Remark
JD Vance's three-word threat moments before Trump's address caught by lip reader https://t.co/Ni5cHkUQpr @JDVance @SpeakerJohnson
What's the reckoning JD? What are you vultures planning? You've hijacked our country & it's money
what are you going to do now? send us to camps?— WWII / KOREA US MARINE'S PISSED OFF DAUGHTER!!!! (@MareeOSullivan2) March 5, 2025
Lip-reading specialist Jeremy Freeman told the Mirror that he overheard Vance privately stating, “Yes it is, a full reckoning, and long overdue.” Additionally, Vance was reportedly heard saying to Johnson, “By the way, I think the speech is going to be great. But I don’t know how you do this for 90 minutes.”
A nearby hot mic also captured Speaker Johnson remarking, “The hardest thing was doing it during Biden, when his speech was a stupid campaign speech.” His reaction—quietly lowering the microphone—suggested that he wanted to keep their exchange out of the public ear.
Unpacking the Implications
What was Vance hinting at with his “full reckoning” comment, and how does it fit into the broader political narrative as Trump and his allies brace for another contentious political showdown?
Vance’s remarks come amid his increasingly fiery rhetoric and robust policy stances. Just days before this cryptic comment, he had a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office and has been openly dismissive toward Britain. Although the precise meaning of “full reckoning” remains unconfirmed, his statement has ignited speculation online, with some fans questioning his intentions.
One tweet read, “What’s the reckoning JD? What are you vultures planning? You’ve hijacked our country & it’s money what are you going to do now? send us to camps?” Another commented, “I’ve seen Vance’s type before. The weedy kid who hangs around the bully, but soils himself when the bully isn’t around and is confronted alone. Runs his mouth, but backpedals when he realizes he’s about to get a punch in the face. I detest bullies, and those who enable them.” Yet another opined, “Trump is a dupe – Vance is the threat.”
Given Vance’s transformation, his “full reckoning” comment takes on added significance. Is he warning of a purge of anti-Trump forces within the party, cautioning political adversaries, or calling for a broader shift in government priorities under the new administration?
One thing is clear: Vance has evolved from being merely a figure within Trump’s orbit to a pivotal player in an administration that seems ready for sweeping changes. If his words are any indication, the reckoning—whatever its form—has only just begun.
What do you think Vance meant by “reckoning?” Share your thoughts and pass this story along so we can hear from others!