But the spotlight of the night belonged to JD Vance himself — and for the funniest reason imaginable. Rather than dressing as a superhero or political figure, the Vice President showed up as “Fat JD,” his own viral internet meme. Wearing a curly wig, a padded belly, and an ill-fitting jacket, he walked out with a grin that instantly sent guests and Secret Service agents into laughter. “Better to own the joke than run from it,” Vance said, posing for photos alongside Usha. “If you can’t laugh at yourself in this job, you’re not going to survive Washington.” Within hours, pictures of the Vice President’s self-deprecating costume had flooded social media, quickly reaching millions of views.

As the night went on, the Vance family mingled happily with guests in the garden, where trick-or-treating stations offered caramel popcorn and cider. The Vice President knelt to greet children dressed as astronauts, witches, and even miniature senators, while his own son playfully growled behind his leopard mask. Usha chatted warmly with staff and parents, occasionally helping her daughter adjust her leafy tomato hat. Guests couldn’t stop laughing when they asked Vance to “strike the meme pose,” which he did with exaggerated seriousness — folding his arms and smirking for the cameras. The moment only cemented his image as someone willing to poke fun at himself, turning an old internet joke into a display of charm and humility.

The evening ended with a heartwarming surprise. Staffers rolled out a cart covered with a sheet, revealing a cotton candy machine and pumpkin-shaped cookies for the children. Vance eagerly took the controls, spinning clouds of pink and blue sugar while his daughter clapped in delight. Bits of cotton candy stuck to his wig as Usha laughed beside him, watching her husband fully embrace the joy of the moment. For a few minutes, the politics disappeared — it was just a dad in a silly costume, making memories with his family under glowing orange lights. As guests left, one attendee summed it up perfectly: “You saw a side of him most people never do — funny, warm, and real.” By the night’s end, the memes were everywhere again — only this time, they carried admiration. What began as a joke ended as a rare reminder that even in Washington, laughter and a little sugar can go a long way.