'Two Can Play': JD Vance’s 'Economic Terrorism' Gaffe About Trump Sparks Viral Firestorm

Vice President JD Vance recently defended the Trump administration's decision to counter-blockade the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. war against Iran enters its seventh week.

Amid this, one of Vance's statements about President Donald Trump caught the attention of social media users, who are now wondering if he realized what his words on air implied.

On Monday, April 13, Vance appeared for an interview on Fox News, where he shared his opinions on Trump's decision to impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and block "any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz," after peace talks between Washington, D.C., and Tehran yielded no positive results.

According to The Guardian, while the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) did not make any formal announcement of the start of the blockade, it had earlier said it would begin on April 13 at 5.30 p.m. Iranian time and would apply to any ships entering or departing Iranian ports or coastal areas, while ships using non-Iranian ports would not be impeded.

Now, while speaking with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Vance defended the U.S. naval blockade and said, "What they have done is engage in this act of economic terrorism against the entire world. As the President showed, two can play at that game."

Clips from the interview were quickly circulated on social media platforms such as X. Netizens reacted to Vance's remark and questioned if he realized what he had implied about the president.

"Does he realize what he just admitted lol," Zeteo News reporter Prem Thakker said.

Former GOP operative turned Meidas Touch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski also reacted to the clip and wrote, "Vance admits that Trump's blockade is an act of economic terrorism against the entire world."

Former GOP and trial lawyer John Jackson's X post read, "What? We're ALSO engaging in economic terrorism? What a stupid way to talk. It's two different things phrased in a very bad way. Come on JD."

"Did Vance just call Trump a terrorist?" the official account of Meidas Touch commented.

"This absolute idiot. Really went on TV and admitted the administration is committing terrorism," wrote another user.

Meanwhile, Trump announced on Sunday, April 12, that he would impose a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote.

"At some point, we will reach an 'ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO IN, ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT' basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, 'There may be a mine out there somewhere,' that nobody knows about but them. THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted." Trump said in a Truth Social post.

He also directed the U.S. Navy to hunt and interdict any vessel in the international waters that have paid a toll to Iran to pass through the strait.