JD Vance reveals ‘nuclear’ fear after Donald Trump pressed Oval Office red button in front of him
Vice President JD Vance revealed a heart-stopping moment when he thought President Trump might have launched nukes during a foreign leader call. During an Ohio GOP dinner speech, Vance described how Trump suddenly muted the call and pressed the Oval Office’s infamous red button.
“My eyes got really big,” Vance recalled, asking Trump what happened. The president deadpanned: “Nuclear.” After two agonizing minutes, an aide entered with a Diet Coke – revealing Trump’s dark-humored prank about the button’s actual purpose.
The viral story comes days after Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Social media erupted over the anecdote, with fans praising Trump’s “unmatched” humor. “If you don’t use the red button prank, what are you even doing as president?” one commenter joked.
The Resolute Desk’s red button has a quirky history. While Trump uses it for Diet Coke requests, past presidents repurposed it differently: Obama ordered tea, LBJ had four beverage options, and Biden allegedly turned it into an “ice cream button” during his term.
Originally gifted by Queen Victoria in 1880, the desk’s button became famous under Trump’s first term. Biden initially removed it in 2021 before reinstating it with a mysterious new function – though Corden’s claim about ice cream orders remains unverified.
Vance’s story highlights Trump’s unconventional leadership style blending gravity with humor. The prank, while unsettling in the moment, now joins a growing list of bizarre Oval Office anecdotes from Trump’s presidency.
As the button’s legend grows, one question remains: What would YOU use it for? From nuclear codes to snack deliveries, this presidential perk continues to fascinate Americans across party lines.
