culture
Fox hosts force JD Vance to eat "pickle cake" as part of bizarre anti-gay joke
By Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation
· June 17, 2026
· 2 min read
JD Vance was on Fox News' The Five yesterday to promote his book about religion. As the segment ended, host Jesse Watters – who is obsessed with performing heterosexual masculinity – noted that it was National Fudge Day, said that that's "too gay," and so instead he had the vice president eat an unu
Key takeaway As the segment ended, host Jesse Watters – who is obsessed with performing heterosexual masculinity – noted that it was National Fudge Day, said that that's "too gay," and so instead he had the vice president eat an unusual cake.
Why this matters
The incident on Fox News' The Five highlights the ongoing use of anti-gay humor in mainstream media, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to a culture of intolerance. JD Vance's laughter and participation in the joke may be seen as condoning such behavior, which is particularly concerning given his public platform and influence. The fact that the joke was made on a national television program underscores the need for greater awareness and sensitivity towards LGBTQ+ issues in media. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other organizations have long advocated for more inclusive and respectful representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in media, and incidents like this demonstrate the ongoing importance of their work. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to face varying levels of legal protection and social acceptance across different states, moments like these can have a significant impact on the national conversation around LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
About this story
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Category: culture ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? JD Vance was on Fox News' The Five yesterday to promote his book about religion. As the segment ended, host Jesse Watters – who is obsessed with performing heterosexual masculinity – noted that it was National Fudge Day, said that that's "too gay," and so instead he had the vice president eat an unu
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more culture coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .