In attempting to return an insult, JD Vance has put the spotlight back on some of Donald Trump’s most awkward moments.

For weeks, Trump and fellow Republicans have been labelled ‘weird’, courtesy of a throwaway line from Tim Walz during an interview before he was chosen as the running mate of Kamala Harris.

Walz has since doubled down on his comments, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “I’ll just say it: Donald Trump and JD Vance are creepy and, yes, weird.”

In an interview with CNN that aired over the weekend, Vance insisted Walz was projecting his own issues.

Vance compared how he and Walz greeted their respective wives during their first appearances as running mates to back up his claims.

When asked whether he was suggesting the Minnesota governor doesn’t have affection for his wife, Vance said Walz had “acted weird … on a national stage in front of his wife”.

“Tim Walz gave his wife a nice, firm Midwestern handshake, and then tried to sort of awkwardly correct for it,” he said.

“I think what it is, is two people, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who aren’t comfortable in their own skin, because they’re uncomfortable with their policy positions for the American people. And so they’re name calling instead of actually telling the American people how they’re going to make their lives better.

“I think that’s weird … but look, they can call me whatever they want to.”

Fellow Republicans, including Donald Trump Jr, have jumped to point out the ‘weird’ interaction between Walz and his wife Gwen.

Totally normal to greet your wife with a firm handshake and a bro hug/back slap. Tim Walz isn’t weird at all, guys 🤣🤣🤣pic.twitter.com/PHAKNEUF3H

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 11, 2024

But the insult seems a bit rich coming from Trump’s camp, given the headline-making awkward displays the presidential candidate and his wife Melania have showcased over the years.

Multiple compilation videos and articles have been dedicated to the couple’s cringeworthy moments.

One of the most viral moments caught on camera saw Melania appear to slap Trump’s hand away as they arrived in Israel for an official trip in 2017.

I could watch Melania slapping Trump’s hand away all day. And I probably will. pic.twitter.com/vVAsFVso3f

— Jeff Tiedrich [retired account — see bio] (@jefftiedrich) May 22, 2017

In 2020, she was accused of wrenching her hand away from Trump’s following a presidential debate.

LOL, in this video Joe Biden tries to wave to Trump, but Trump doesn’t even acknowledge it and then Melania rips her hand away from Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/KxsoNfzKzY

— David Pakman (@dpakman) October 23, 2020

Melania’s apparent distaste for holding her husband’s hand is not the only gossip fodder the couple’s actions have provided over the years.

In some cases, her facial expression seems to have said it all.

Melania hasn’t shown an actual emotion or the whites of her eyes since 2003 but she “allegedly” went in for even more plastic surgery. I don’t understand why; her face was already as smooth as a Tupperware lid. I’d love to ensure that American taxpayers didn’t pay for it. pic.twitter.com/Q64FgGGiHq

— April (@ReignOfApril) May 26, 2018

Reminds me of Melania’s hand slap to Trump heard around the world now she’s added facial dissatisfaction! @GOP @GOPChairwoman @RepMTG @cspan pic.twitter.com/kyHDkeCFxd

— LovelyMsNet (@LovelyMsNet) February 26, 2023

Notably, Melania has stayed largely out of the public eye during the current presidential campaign, behaviour that deviates from the traditional public displays of support expected of candidates’ spouses.

Neither Melania nor Trump have given official reasons for her absence, but the former first lady did release an emotional statement following the alleged attack on her husband’s life in July.

“A monster who recognised my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion – his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration,” she said.

“The core facets of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.”