Fact check: Did JD Vance fuck a couch?

1. Summary of the results

The claim about JD Vance having sexual relations with a couch is definitively false. The rumor originated from a satirical social media post by user @rickrudescalves on July 15, 2024, who later acknowledged it was meant as a joke ^[1]. Multiple fact-checking organizations have confirmed the story is completely fabricated ^[2]. A thorough search of Vance's memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" found no such passage, with the cited pages (179-181) actually discussing his college experience at Ohio State University ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are worth noting:

• The Associated Press initially published and then retracted a piece about this false claim, demonstrating how even established media can be caught up in viral misinformation ^[4]
• The story appears to have evolved from a misinterpreted anecdote about Vance feeling stuck on a couch, which was then transformed into an elaborate sexual narrative through internet meme culture ^[5]
• The rumor gained such widespread attention that it was referenced by public figures, including Tim Walz during a speech ^[4] and was discussed by Stephen Colbert ^[6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

This case presents a clear example of how misinformation spreads in modern media:

• The story demonstrates the viral nature of false information on social media platforms, showing how quickly unsubstantiated claims can spread ^[7]
• Political opponents may benefit from the spread of such rumors, as evidenced by political figures incorporating it into their speeches ^[4]
• The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of fact-checking and the need to verify information before sharing it ^[6]
• The evolution of this story from a satirical post to widespread discussion highlights the challenging relationship between internet meme culture and political discourse ^[5]