JD Vance Breaks Ohio State’s Championship Trophy in White House Ceremony Blunder

Washington, D.C. – A celebratory moment turned awkward at the White House on Monday, April 14, 2025, when Vice President JD Vance accidentally broke the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy during a ceremony honoring the Ohio State University Buckeyes, as reported by The Guardian.[](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/14/jd-vance-ohio-state-trophy)

Ceremony Takes an Unexpected Turn

The CFP National Championship Trophy falls apart as VP JD Vance tries to hold it aloft at the White House. pic.twitter.com/XYmZRnCsK0 — Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) April 14, 2025

The Buckeyes, fresh off their 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the January 2025 national championship game, were welcomed by President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance to commemorate their ninth national title. As the team prepared for a group photo on the South Lawn, Vance, an Ohio native and Ohio State alumnus, attempted to lift the 26.5-inch trophy, crafted from 24-karat gold, bronze, and stainless steel. Unaware that the trophy’s base and top are designed to separate, Vance fumbled the base, which fell to the ground, while running back TreVeyon Henderson swiftly caught the golden football-shaped top, preventing further damage.[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/us/politics/jd-vance-ohio-state-football-trophy.html)[](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/14/jd-vance-trophy-ohio-state-national-championship/83087486007/)

Laughter and Recovery

The incident prompted audible gasps and nervous laughter from players and attendees, with the U.S. Marine Band’s rendition of “We Are the Champions” playing in the background. Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Henderson assisted Vance in reassembling the trophy, which was later posed with just its top half for photos. The moment quickly went viral, with videos circulating across social media platforms.[](https://www.newsweek.com/ohio-state-trophy-falls-apart-jd-vances-hands-during-white-house-visit-2059684)[](https://apnews.com/article/vance-trophy-fumble-ohio-state-trump-7b4bbdfca8ce6a20fd6e8724a24d329b)

Vance’s Lighthearted Response

Taking the mishap in stride, Vance posted on X, joking, “I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it.” The quip reflected his attempt to diffuse the embarrassment, though some players appeared visibly shocked by the fumble. The trophy, described as two integral but detachable pieces by the College Football Playoff, was not permanently damaged, as its design allows for such separations during celebrations.[](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6280658/2025/04/15/jd-vance-ohio-state-cfb-championship-trophy/)[](https://x.com/JDVance/status/1911877790388871537)

A Proud Moment for Ohio State

Despite the blunder, the ceremony highlighted Ohio State’s resilience, with Trump and Vance praising the team’s journey through the expanded 12-team playoff format. Vance, who graduated from Ohio State in 2009, also used the occasion to jest about a Michigan fan in the crowd, playfully threatening to alert the Secret Service over the rival’s hat. The event underscored Vance’s deep ties to his alma mater, though his trophy-handling skills drew lighthearted scrutiny.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/jd-vance-ohio-state-trophy-rcna201241)[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/college-football/article-14610763/jd-vance-ohio-state-drops-trophy.html)

As Ohio State’s visit joins a list of memorable trophy mishaps in sports history, the incident adds a quirky footnote to their championship celebration. Follow our coverage for more updates on college football and political events.