Vance makes tasteless joke about being assassinated in awkward Bitcoin speech
Vice President JD Vance made a tasteless joke as he took to the Bitcoin 2025 stage.
Making his first public appearance in
Las Vegas
on Wednesday since taking office, Vance told the audience: "The secret service is a bit nervous because I told them, 'These Bitcoin guys really like guns.' But they really like the President and Vice President of the United States too! I think we're doing ok."
The joke was met with lukewarm applause as the gathered Crypto and tech bros awaited the rest of the speech, which focused on assuring the group that the Trump administration has their best interests in their sights.
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Vance assured the gathered Crypto royalty that they had Trump's support
(Image: Right Side Broadcasting Network)
Donald Trump
Jr. and Eric Trump, sons of President Donald Trump, will join Vance on stage at The Venetian Resort, along with White House cryptocurrency adviser David Sacks.
After his election, President Trump expressed his commitment to making the U.S. a global leader in cryptocurrencies, earning him accolades from industry leaders who felt the previous administration had unfairly targeted digital assets.
Vance spent a large chunk of his speech time reiterating Trump's support, and claiming that Democrats tried to kill the industry. "I'm here today to say loud and clear, with President Trump, crypto finally has a champion and an ally in the White House," Vance said to polite applause.
"In our administration, we understand the full potential of the digital assets industry, not just as an investment, not just as a flashy technology, but as a symbol and driver of personal liberty for all our citizens, and we are dedicated to seeing that promise fulfilled," Vance continued.
"The way that we see it, the people in this room are the digital pioneers of the American economy. And that's why our administration is doing something a little unusual in Washington. We're listening to all of you as you blaze the trail of innovation," Vance went on, maintaining his professional demeanor.
Then, getting angrier, Vance alleged that it is the 'communists' that 'don't like' crypto.
"Because we want to start to put in motion the strategic importance of Bitcoin for the United States government. We know that the PRC doesn't like Bitcoin. The People's Republic of China doesn't like Bitcoin. Well, we should be asking ourselves why is that? Why is our biggest adversary such an opponent of Bitcoin?' Vance questioned.
He also went on to allege that Republicans prefer crypto, while Democrats prefer AI investments. "You know, one of the ways you hear this stated is that crypto is fundamentally a conservative or right-leaning technology, and artificial intelligence is fundamentally left-leaning or a communist system," said the Vice President.
"Now I think that overstates things a little bit in both directions, but there, there's a fundamental element of truth to it," Vance 'joked.'
According to The Washington Post, Vance is also expected to attend a political fundraiser in Las Vegas on Tuesday, with admission set at a whopping $1 million donation per person.
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