In early October 2025, Stephen Colbert turned JD Vance’s “it’s just jokes” defense of President Trump’s AI posts into a meme moment of its own. After Vance brushed off a controversial AI video with sombrero overlays as “funny,” Colbert’s team posted an AI gag that riffs on the long-running “couch” rumor about Vance—framed as a cheeky clapback delivered across TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and socials.
Why it travelled: it layers two bits of internet lore—(1) the fresh AI–sombrero controversy and (2) the older 2024 “couch” hoax that previously spawned weeks of memes—so viewers instantly recognize the setup. Colbert’s upload packaged that mix into a short, high-contrast clip that’s easy to duet, stitch, and caption.
How people use it
- Reaction reposts: Colbert’s couch beat under headlines about shutdown talks, VP quotes, or AI-in-politics news.
- Two-panel satire: Vance clip saying “we’re joking” → couch punchline card.
- Template swaps: replace the couch with other running gags (e.g., “sombrero meme will stop” promise).
Caption starters
- “We’re joking. We’re having a good time.”
- “Government reopens → memes stop (allegedly).”
- “AI era politics, illustrated.”
- “Colbert said: couch it.”
Creator tips
- Keep text ultra-brief; let the clip deliver the punch.
- If you reference real news, label your edit clearly as parody/satire.
- One idea per frame—soundbite → visual gag → out.
Make a fast remix: drop a headline or quote on Frame 1, your punchline on Frame 2, and export for any platform using the WAHUP Meme Generator.
Context reads: Vance defending Trump’s AI sombrero clip; Colbert’s couch meme response; background on the 2024 “couch” hoax that feeds this joke.