At a Republican dinner in Ohio on June 24, 2025, Vice President JD Vance shared a side-splitting story about a moment with President Donald Trump that briefly made him fear the worst. The tale, delivered with perfect comedic timing, gave the audience a glimpse into Trump’s playful side, even in the serious setting of the Oval Office, and it’s a story that’s got everyone talking.
While on a call with a foreign leader, Trump muted the line and told Vance the conversation wasn’t going smoothly. Then, he pressed the red button on the Resolute Desk. Vance, alarmed, asked, “Mr. President, what was that?” Trump replied with a straight face, “Nuclear.” Seconds later, a staffer walked in with a Diet Coke, and Trump revealed it was just his soda button, turning Vance’s panic into laughter.
The story landed perfectly, especially coming days after Trump’s military action against Iran’s nuclear sites. Social media erupted, with fans praising Trump’s humor—one called it “pure gold,” while another said, “You’ve got to prank with the red button if you’re president!” The moment highlighted Trump’s ability to keep things light, even in tense times.
The red button, a fixture on the Resolute Desk since it was gifted by Queen Victoria in 1880, has a colorful past. Trump used it to order Diet Cokes in his first term and reinstated it in 2025. Obama reportedly used it for tea, and Lyndon B. Johnson had buttons for coffee and sodas. Biden removed it in 2021 but brought it back, possibly for ice cream, though he kept its purpose a mystery.
Vance’s anecdote shows that even in the high-stakes world of politics, humor can shine through. The story has fans buzzing about Trump’s knack for surprises and the red button’s quirky legacy. If you could have a red button in the Oval Office, what would it do—call for a snack or something totally out of the box?