JD Vance calling a senator ‘Jose’ has Dems losing their minds

The left is freaking out on Vice President JD Vance for referring to Senator Alex Padilla as “Jose.”

After being asked about the California senator’s treatment during a Homeland Security press conference earlier in the month, Vance called the act “pure political theater.”

“Well, I was hoping Jose Padilla would be here to ask a question. But unfortunately, I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn’t the theater,” he said. The slip up, in which he referred to Padilla as “Jose” did not get by the left.

JD Vance served with Alex Padilla in the United States Senate.

Calling him “Jose Padilla” is not an accident. pic.twitter.com/UOgdzdKcuy

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 20, 2025

“JD Vance served with Alex Padilla in the United States Senate. Calling him “Jose Padilla” is not an accident,” California Governor Gavin Newsom huffed.

Let’s set the record straight on J.D. Vance’s press conference in Los Angeles:
Vice President Vance just stood at a podium and lied — again.

He claimed the situation in LA was out of control, forcing Trump to send in the National Guard.
In reality, local law enforcement…

— Nanette D. Barragán (@RepBarragan) June 20, 2025

“Let’s set the record straight on J.D. Vance’s press conference in Los Angeles: Vice President Vance just stood at a podium and lied — again,” California Democrat Rep. Nanette Barragan wrote.

“He claimed the situation in LA was out of control, forcing Trump to send in the National Guard. In reality, local law enforcement had things under control – Trump escalated the situation when he deployed federal troops. He said ICE is prioritizing their limited resources on going after criminals. In fact, arrests of immigrants with no criminal convictions are up over 800% since January. He accused Gov. Newsom and Mayor Bass of ‘endangering officers’ lives.’ What they’ve actually done is stand up for accountability, transparency, and the safety of all Californians.,” she continued. “And then — to top it all off — he referred to Senator Alex Padilla as ‘Jose Padilla.’ They served in the same chamber. He knows his name. This wasn’t a slip — it was disrespectful. This isn’t about law and order. It’s about fear, division, and deflection.”

Even Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took a break from cleaning up the chaos in her city to weigh in.

“I guess he just looked like anybody to you. Well, he is not just anybody to us. He is our senator,” she snapped.

Dear all reporters,

When something happens like, I don’t know, JD Vance calls Alex Padilla “Jose,” how about some follow ups?

This admin is so incompetent that reporters let too much slide.

Stop please

— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) (@AdamKinzinger) June 21, 2025

“Dear all reporters, When something happens like, I don’t know, JD Vance calls Alex Padilla ‘Jose,’ how about some follow ups? This admin is so incompetent that reporters let too much slide. Stop please,” Adam Kinzinger wrote.

It is likely that Vance mixed up the senator with convicted terrorist Jose Padilla, who was convicted of aiding terrorists.

In a 2014 article, it was reported that Padilla was “re-sentenced to 21 years in prison” for his 2007 conviction for “conspiracy to murder, kidnap, and main individuals in a foreign country; conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists; and providing material support to terrorists.” This came after an appellate court found that his previous 17-and-a-half year sentence was too light.

LMAO! A JD Vance spokesperson just TROLLED CNN when they asked why Vance called Alex Padilla “Jose”

“JD must’ve mixed up two people who have broken the law”

The REAL Jose Padilla was convicted of aiding and abetting terrorism pic.twitter.com/WjSpZDH02n

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 21, 2025

Leave it to the left to turn every little thing, including a name mixup, into an issue of epic proportions.

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

Latest posts by Sierra Marlee (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.