Vice President JD Vance was met with a hostile reception in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where protesters brandished inflatable couches, plush cats and poster-sized memes of his face. Dubbed the “MeowTucket” protest, the event aimed to disrupt Vance’s visit as he headlined a Republican fundraising dinner.
The protest was promoted by Amanda McGonigle, who runs the Instagram account catsonacouch. Many signs referenced online jokes about Vance, including his controversial “childless cat lady” comment made during the campaign. Donald Trump also drew criticism for claiming the country was run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies.” Other signs alluded to a fictitious rumour that Vance had sex with a couch.
Protesters set up an inflatable couch under a large tarp bearing an image of a popular Vance meme, creating a photo opportunity. As Vance’s motorcade passed, crowds yelled “fascist” and called for him to leave. Signs carried by demonstrators included messages such as “In America, the law is king” and “fascists not welcome.”
McGonigle said her account’s purpose is to troll Vance constantly so he “does not know a moment's peace for the next three and a half years at least.” She also distributed thousands of “Wanted” posters featuring meme photos of Vance ahead of the protest.
Vance’s time on the island, a wealthy summer holiday destination, was brief. He hosted a Republican National Committee fundraiser for the 2026 midterm elections, with tickets starting at $100,000. The event reportedly raised $3 million, according to the New York Post.
