JD Vance explains his 'Jim Halpert' expression during VP debate, Internet calls him 'smart as whip'

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen JD Vance revealed why some of his expressions during the vice presidential debate against Minnesota made Tim Walz look like he was mimicking 'The Office' character Jim Halpert, played by John Krasinski.

The GOP vice presidential nominee confirmed the viral expression was not an attempt to convey a knowing glance at the camera, unlike the hit sitcom character who would often give a knowing smirk at the camera.

Appearing on 'The Ruthless Podcast' on Thursday, October 3, Vance said he was only trying to look at the time to be prepared for his turn to speak, according to the New York Post.

JD Vance accidentally mimics Jim Halpert's look

"This thing that has gone super viral of me kind of doing the Jim from 'The Office' thing, looking into the camera, it's because – I wish I could take credit for it – but it's because I guess the timer is right by the camera," said the running mate of Donald Trump.

"I was trying to, like, you know, pay attention to what [Walz is] saying, but then you have to be ready for, like, when his time's up because then it's your turn to speak,” he added. “And so I was looking at the timer," he added.

Vance also shared his appreciation for the social media users who made viral memes out of the moment, stating he was "glad" the netizens liked it.

Speaking on the podcast, the Ohio Senator confessed he was "nervous as hell" for his October 1 face-off against Democratic running mate Walz.

The congressman added that he knew he performed well against his opponent when he saw his wife, Usha Vance's face as she came up to the stage after the concluding statements. He claimed his wife, and particularly her face, would not lie to him.

Unlike his running mate, Trump, who had a subpar debate performance against Vice President Kamala Harris earlier last month, the GOP VP nominee garnered praise from media and pundits.

Trump hailed his debate against Walz, calling it "brilliant." Meanwhile, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough said Vance was "stylistically better" than the Minnesota governor, and CNN's Jake Tapper labeled it a "slicker" performance, according to Mediaite.

Internet hails JD Vance's Jim Halpert expression during debate against Tim Walz

Amused by JD Vance's expression reflecting the look of Jim Halpert from 'The Office,' netizens said it looked "smart" and "funny."

"Lol Vance is smart as a whip, and funny as well. He knew exactly what he was doing and it was perfect," a user said.

"LUV IT...HE WAS SO FUNNY ...AND PONTING AT SOMETHING IMPORTANT!" another added.

"Lol jd vance pulling a jim halpert face during the debate was hilarious like, who knew politics could be this entertaining?" a third user said.

"JD knows how to break the fourth wall!" read a fourth response.

"I noticed the look took it like he was signalling to us saying listen to what this guy is saying," someone else wrote.

"Ohhhh the side-eye totally worked for him. He has really nice blue eyes, too," an individual chimed in.

"No matter what, it was still brilliant and only added to his personality," one user tweeted.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.