JD Vance Sparks Controversy with Deportation Remark Aimed at Fashion Blogger Derek Guy
A social media storm has erupted following remarks made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who appeared to suggest the deportation of fashion blogger Derek Guy, widely known on X (formerly Twitter) as "Menswear Guy." The controversy has drawn attention to sensitive debates around immigration, free speech, and political retaliation, with many accusing Vance of abusing his platform to target a critic.
The situation escalated after Derek Guy shared his personal story on social media, recounting how he and his family arrived in the United States under undocumented circumstances. Guy revealed that his family fled Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, a pivotal moment in the Vietnam War. They initially settled in Canada, where his father worked as a janitor and his mother as a secretary. However, when work opportunities dried up, Guy’s father moved to the U.S. to work with a relative. Soon after, his mother brought Guy—then a baby—across the border without legal documentation.
In his post, Guy wrote, “My family escaped Vietnam after the Tet Offensive and went through an arduous journey that eventually landed them in Canada. When my dad’s work fell through, he went to the U.S. to find work, and my mom later brought me over the border. I was just a baby.”
Now an adult and a prominent voice in online fashion commentary, Guy reflected on the ambiguous legality of his status but openly admitted that he falls under the category of being an undocumented immigrant. “Yet, I’ve been in the United States since I was a baby. My identity and roots are very much based in this country, no different from anyone else,” he added.
His post came in the wake of rising tensions over immigration enforcement, particularly in light of renewed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations under the current administration. Guy used his platform to voice support for peaceful protesters opposing large-scale deportations and criticized the government’s enforcement approach, calling it wasteful and inhumane. “Even deporting 1 million people will cause an insane amount of chaos,” he wrote. “We need to solve this issue on a systemic level.”
But what began as a personal testimony and call for empathy quickly turned political. JD Vance, who has never shied away from stirring controversy, entered the discussion not with a direct policy statement but with a meme reply on a separate X post that referenced Guy’s immigration status. The meme suggested Vance had “the opportunity to do the funniest thing ever,” which many interpreted as a veiled suggestion to deport Guy in retaliation for his past critiques.
Guy had previously poked fun at Vance’s fashion choices on his account, offering lighthearted and humorous commentary on the style of political figures. While these jests were not personal attacks, they clearly left an impression. The meme Vance responded to was widely circulated and seen as an endorsement of the idea of using immigration enforcement as a form of political payback.
Guy responded swiftly with characteristic wit, saying, “I think I can outrun you in these clothes,” turning the exchange back into a fashion moment. But the seriousness of the issue was not lost on social media users, who criticized the Vice President for encouraging or joking about deporting someone over critical commentary.
Legal experts and commentators were quick to note the dangerous precedent of a high-ranking government official even jokingly suggesting the deportation of a political critic. The First Amendment protects free speech, and such actions, if taken seriously, could blur the lines between political discourse and authoritarian overreach. Civil rights groups have called Vance’s behavior “deeply troubling” and “indicative of a chilling pattern of targeting dissent.”
The incident also reignited discussions about the broader status of undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, many of whom have grown up identifying wholly as American, despite lacking formal citizenship status. Policies like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) were designed to protect such individuals, but no permanent legislative solution has been passed.
For many, Derek Guy’s story humanizes a group often reduced to statistics and stereotypes. His contributions to cultural discourse, particularly in fashion, have earned him a large following online. His advocacy for humane immigration policies reflects the views of millions of undocumented immigrants who live, work, and contribute meaningfully to American society.
Meanwhile, JD Vance’s comment is likely to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing cultural and political war surrounding immigration. While some of his supporters viewed the post as humorous or justified, critics argue that weaponizing immigration status—even in jest—crosses ethical and political boundaries.
As the story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: in a deeply polarized America, even fashion commentary can become political fodder. And in this case, it may end up spotlighting the need for a more humane, reasoned approach to immigration reform—one that doesn’t involve deportation threats from the highest levels of power.