**JD Vance's Couch Story: From Joke to Viral Sensation and Fact-Checked Fallout**
The internet has been abuzz with memes about JD Vance's "couch story" joke.
Tim Walz, the running mate of the Democratic presidential nominee, took a sharp jab at his Republican opponent, JD Vance, over a fictitious claim that Trump’s vice-presidential pick had confessed to a bizarre encounter with a couch in his memoir. At a Democratic rally in Philadelphia, alongside Ms. Harris, Walz quipped, "I can't wait to debate the guy... that is, if he's willing to get off the couch and show up." The remark elicited uproarious laughter from the enthusiastic crowd.
**What’s the Couch Joke?**
Walz's comment referenced a story that went viral on social media after being shared by user @rickrudescalves on July 15, which was later deleted. The post humorously claimed that Vance might be the first VP pick to have admitted to a peculiar act with an inside-out latex glove between two couch cushions in a New York Times bestseller.
Although The Associated Press initially debunked the story with a fact-check titled "No, JD Vance did not have sex with a couch," it later retracted the piece, fueling a surge of memes and discussions online. Google Trends showed that searches for 'JD Vance couch' during the last week of July surpassed those for 'Trump shooting,' indicating the joke’s widespread reach.
**Tim Walz Joins the Fray**
While Walz’s rally speech highlighted his policy goals, such as addressing climate change and gun control, he did not shy away from mocking Vance and Trump. Walz described them as "creepy" and "just weird as hell," and contrasted his own background with Vance’s, mentioning his education at Yale and support from Silicon Valley billionaires.
Walz shared a clip of his comment on X, which garnered significant attention from his 604,000 followers. The clip included the line, "I can't wait to debate the guy—that is, if he's willing to get off the couch and show up."
**The Reality Behind the Joke**
The original poster of the joke, Rick, told Business Insider that he identifies with the political left and is not involved in politics. He admitted to creating the joke out of disdain for Vance and found it amusing, though he did not intend to spread misinformation. Rick expressed some satisfaction in watching Vance's team grapple with the fallout, despite acknowledging that his joke was not meant to mislead.
In summary, what started as a jest on social media has evolved into a significant talking point, drawing attention from political figures and the public alike.
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