Quick Hit:

Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance took aim at MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle after she fact-checked his playful remark about how many eggs his sons eat. Vance’s comment, made during a grocery store visit, was quickly called hyperbolic by Ruhle, sparking ridicule from Vance and others online.

Key Details:

• During a visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store, Vance joked that his two sons eat 14 eggs every morning, drawing a fact-check from MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle.

• Vance and others responded by mocking the analysis, with Vance comparing it to fact-checking hyperbolic phrases like "I could sleep for days."

• Vance used the opportunity to highlight the growing costs of groceries under the Biden-Harris administration.

Diving Deeper:

Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance found himself the subject of an MSNBC fact-check after making an offhand joke about his sons' eating habits during a campaign stop. According to a report from Fox News, the moment took place on September 21st, when Vance, accompanied by his two sons, visited a supermarket in Reading, Pennsylvania, to discuss rising grocery prices. As Vance spoke to attendees, his sons reached for a carton of eggs, prompting Vance to joke, “These guys actually eat about 14 eggs every single morning.”

MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle took the joke seriously, responding with a breakdown of the math: "14 eggs per day. 98 eggs per week. Two children consuming 8+ dozen eggs per week," she tweeted.

Vance fired back on social media, sarcastically remarking, “One time I said I was so tired I could sleep for days. Stephanie Ruhle: Vance, in fact, only slept for 8 hours.” Several prominent figures on X (formerly Twitter) joined in on the mockery, highlighting the absurdity of fact-checking obvious hyperbole. CNN commentator Scott Jennings quipped, "Vance: 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!' Ruhle: 'TONIGHT, we talk to PETA to get to the bottom of this Republican-led equine eating catastrophe.'"

Others, such as Reason editor Robby Soave and RedState writer Bonchie, pointed out that the media often fixates on trivial issues while ignoring more significant matters like rising grocery costs. Bonchie specifically highlighted Ruhle’s prior defense of Vice President Kamala Harris in interviews, noting how the same approach was used to deflect from critical questions.

Vance’s lighthearted jab comes amidst ongoing criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the economy, with food prices becoming a hot-button issue as inflation continues to affect Americans nationwide. By turning a fact-check into a viral moment, Vance underscored what he sees as a disconnect between the media and the real issues affecting everyday families.