Fact Check: Trump Mistakenly Referred to JD Vance as 'JD Wentworth'?

Claim:

Former U.S. President Donald Trump mistakenly referred to JD Vance as "J.D. Wentworth."

Rating:

Originated as Satire ( About this rating? )

In the months leading up to the November 2024 U.S. presidential election, a rumor claimed former President Donald Trump mistakenly referred to his vice presidential running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, as "J.D. Wentworth."

For example, on July 21, TikTok user @bry.the.man.75 posted an image displaying a headline reading, "Trump Mistakenly Refers to His New Running Mate as J.D. Wentworth."

The post received nearly 500,000 views. The user included with the post the music for The JG Wentworth Company – a long-running American TV advertisement jingle. The lyrics in the jingle begin, "I have a structured settlement and I need cash now. Call JG Wentworth! 877-CASH-NOW!"

One TikTok user commented of Trump, "That's because he needs the cash." Another person remarked, "He was given a sentence and he needs cash now. Call J.D. Wentworth." Another comment – also with at least hundreds of likes – read, "Real or not, it's believable."

Numerous other users reposted the same rumor on Facebook , Threads , TikTok and X, positing Trump confused the name of his running mate with JG Wentworth. A reader also emailed us asking, "Did Trump actually refer to JD Vance as JG Wentworth at a Michigan rally?"

However, the truth was Trump never referred to Vance as "J.D. Wentworth." This rumor originated in a July 20 article ( archived ) published on the satirical Substack blog The God Pod via TheGodPodcast.com. The story's headline matched that of @bry.the.man.75's TikTok post – as well as the other aforementioned social media posts – and read, "Trump Mistakenly Refers to His New Running Mate as J.D. Wentworth."

The article labeled as satire began:

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – In his latest gaffe, former President Donald Trump introduced his new running mate, Senator JD Vance, as "J.D. Wentworth" today, apparently confusing the Senator with the well-known cash-for-structured-settlements company spokesman.

During his highly anticipated first rally with his new running mate, Trump took the stage to announce his vice-presidential pick. "Folks, I give you the best, the brightest, the finest – J.D. Wentworth!"

His supporters erupted in applause, unfazed by the error. Standing beside Trump, Senator JD Vance looked momentarily perplexed but quickly recovered, smiled and waved to the crowd.

Vance stepped forward and politely corrected Trump, saying, "Mr. President, it's actually JD Vance." Trump, undeterred, brushed it off with a characteristic grin. "Of course, of course! JD Vance, J.D. Wentworth – same difference, right folks? The point is, he's fantastic!"

The God Pod blog's description reads, "The God Pod brings you daily news satire and a weekly animated podcast starring God and Jesus."

For background, we previously published why we sometimes write about satire and humor.

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