US vice president jokes about football defeat after midterm losses

US Vice President JD Vance opened his first public remarks after the Republican Party's midterm losses with a joke about a different defeat. Referring to a disastrous loss the previous week, he then said he meant the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, drawing laughter.

The remark came amid continuing debate over why Republicans lost ground in the elections. Vance had argued in a social-media post that the war with Iran contributed to the setback. President Donald Trump said the comments had not damaged their relationship, while adding that many people disliked them.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered a different emphasis on the war the same day. He said he agreed with Trump's position that he would make the decision again. Those public statements show differing political messages; they do not by themselves establish a break between the president and vice president.

Vance's opening joke referred to the football result rather than announcing a change in policy or an election concession. The wider discussion about the war and the party's future continued alongside his return to public speaking.