Vice Presidential Pool Reports of November 8, 2025

VP Pool #1: Gathered for Marine Corps ball

Good evening, I'm your pooler for Vice President Vance's appearance tonight at the 250th United States Marine Corps Birthday in Washington.

The event is being held at the Washington Hilton. Pool has been swept and is holding in the main ballroom for the start of the event and VP's arrival.

VP Pool Report #2: VP arrival

VP Vance has arrived at the Washington Hilton, according to his office, and is now attending a private reception. Pool has not seen the VP yet.

A run of show from the VP's office, for planning purposes only:

• 7:30PM: VP and SLOTUS enter ballroom, official program begins
• 8:15PM: General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, delivers remarks
• 8:20PM: VP JD Vance delivers remarks
• 8:35PM: Official program concludes, press depart

VP Pool Report #3: VP entrance

Vice President Vance and second lady Usha Vance entered the ballroom at 7:27 p.m., accompanied by General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The VP and SLOTUS were greeted with a loud ovation by the audience. They were led to a table near the dais.

The event is underway.

VP Pool Report #4: Vance remarks

VP Vance, dressed in black tie, began his remarks at 8:25 p.m.

The remarks followed a lengthy program that included a speech by General Eric Smith, a performance by the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, and the traditional Marine Corps birthday cake-cutting ceremony.

The cake was a showstopper-worthy affair complete with a life-sized edible bald eagle.

"I'm so proud to be the first vice president of the United States to have been a United States Marine," Vance said.

"We're going to keep on winning America's wars for the next 250 years after this," Vance said.

The VP talked about joining the Marines and shared a few stories from his boot camp experience at Parris Island.

"We are fighting for peace every single day in the White House," Vance said.

"The battlefield has changed in an incredible and profound way" over the years, Vance said.

"The most important war-fighting technology is not a new airplane" or AI, he added, "the most important war-fighting technology is a well-trained and well-armed United States Marine."

Vance concluded his speech at 8:38 p.m.

VP Pool Report #5: Remarks over

Following Vance's remarks, pool was ushered out of the event as the dinner portion of the program got underway.

Per the VP's office, Vance will be leaving shortly.

That's it for this evening. Have a good night,