Huntington, West Virginia — Senator JD Vance made a stop in Huntington, West Virginia, with a unique strategy to show his deep understanding of the opioid crisis: by slapping on a fentanyl patch just before his speech. What started as a typical rally quickly veered off course when the senator began to feel the patch’s effects—leading to an unexpected nap in front of a bewildered audience.
Huntington, known as “The River City,” has seen more than its fair share of struggles, from the decline of its manufacturing base to becoming a flashpoint in the opioid epidemic. Perhaps that’s why Vance thought this setting was the perfect place to make a statement.
“I wanted the people of Huntington to know I’m right there with them, experiencing their pain firsthand,” Vance reportedly said, just before affixing the patch and stepping up to the podium.
For the first few minutes, Vance appeared to be in fine form, delivering the usual talking points about the need for economic revitalization, tackling the drug crisis, and supporting local industries. But as he delved into the topic of opioids, his words started to lose their sharpness.
“The people of Huntington have suffered long enough,” he began before his speech became punctuated with yawns. “That’s why… we must… yawn… come together… as a na—” At that point, Vance’s head dropped, and the microphone picked up the faint sound of snoring.
The crowd, a mix of Huntington locals and folks from nearby areas like Ashland, Kentucky, stood in stunned silence. Was this a daring political statement? Or is it just a bad idea executed worse?
After about five minutes of collective confusion, Vance’s aides scrambled onto the stage, gently removing the patch and guiding the senator to a waiting cot, conveniently set up just offstage. The event’s organizers, quick on their feet, handed out “JD Vance 2024” blankets to the crowd, encouraging them to take a solidarity snooze in support of their somnolent senator.
Reactions from the crowd were varied. Some saw Vance’s unorthodox approach as a sign of his willingness to share in their experiences literally.
“You’ve got to admire his commitment,” said one attendee, a local barber who’s seen Huntington’s ups and downs over the years. “He didn’t just talk the talk—he napped the nap.”
Others were less convinced.
“I’ve seen some things in my time here,” said a resident who’s lived in Huntington all her life, “but a politician passing out during his speech? That’s a first. We came to hear what he will do about our problems, not see him become one of them.”
As for Vance, he later tweeted from his bed, stating, “Big thanks to everyone who came out in Huntington tonight. My empathy for your struggles has never been stronger—or more sedative. #HuntingtonStrong.”
Whether this unusual tactic will resonate with Huntington’s voters remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: JD Vance definitely made an impression—albeit a drowsy one—on the heart of the Tri-State area.
