In Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, a new mural has become the talk of the town—and, in fact, the nation. On the side of Sulimay’s Restaurant, passersby are greeted with a larger-than-life image of Vice President JD Vance, not as the polished politician familiar from television, but as a bald, chubby-cheeked baby. The mural, created by the Democratic advocacy group FUBAR PAC, has quickly become a viral sensation, sparking debate, laughter, and even international headlines.
The mural’s origins are as colorful as its subject. According to Philly Voice and Philadelphia Magazine, FUBAR PAC, a group committed to winning back the House of Representatives in next year’s election, conceived the idea as a satirical jab at Vance and the current administration. Jack Inacker, FUBAR PAC’s founder and executive director, explained the motivation with characteristic bluntness: “You know who everyone fcking hates? America’s most notorious couch fcker, JD Vance. So we had an incredibly stupid idea: What if we plastered everyone’s favorite meme on a wall here in Philly as a reminder of how much this guy sucks.”
The mural, painted on the exterior of Sulimay’s at 632 East Girard Avenue, features no overt political slogans—just the meme itself, a visual punchline that needs no further explanation for those in the know. This simplicity, Inacker argues, is part of the point. “You can poke fun and laugh at these people and their terrible actions at the same time as bringing attention to them,” he told Philly Voice. “I think people are so burnt out hearing the daily slog of how bad things are, and they are very bad. This administration has moved lightning quick to institute terrible, draconian policies that are hurting not only people in Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. You see the consequences worldwide.”
Philadelphia, long known as the “city of murals,” has a tradition of using street art to reflect both its beauty and its politics. Inacker, reflecting on this heritage, said, “Look, we are a city of murals in Philadelphia. We have beautiful ones across the city. I wanted to add to that tapestry with something incredibly silly, while at the same time, being able to reach people and say, ‘hey, these people are actually doing real harm to you, your family and the world.’”
The mural’s impact has been immediate and far-reaching. According to Raw Story and USA Today, it has ignited viral social media posts and become a flashpoint for political discourse. Waitstaff worker Sam Helm was photographed on August 19, 2025, gathering supplies in the basement beneath the mural, a moment captured by Philadelphia Inquirer photographers and quickly shared online. The image, and the mural itself, have become a symbol of both local humor and national frustration with the current administration.
But the mural’s reach hasn’t stopped at the city’s borders. In one bizarre twist, a Norwegian tourist reportedly was denied entry to the United States after customs agents found an image of the mural on his phone. The story, which has circulated widely online, highlights just how far the mural’s notoriety has spread—and how the intersection of art, satire, and politics can have truly unexpected consequences.
FUBAR PAC’s project was made possible by the enthusiastic participation of the local business community. After Inacker put out a call on Reddit for wall space, several Philadelphia establishments volunteered, eager to play a part in what has quickly become a viral phenomenon. Ultimately, Sulimay’s Restaurant was chosen as the mural’s home, ensuring that the artwork would be seen by locals and visitors alike in one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods.
The mural’s debut comes at a politically charged moment in Ohio and beyond. Vice President JD Vance, a Cincinnati Republican, has been a lightning rod for controversy, both for his policy positions and his public persona. Just days before the mural’s unveiling, Vance made headlines for his unusually reserved demeanor during a White House summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—a sharp contrast to his previous, more combative encounter with Zelensky in March, according to The Independent. Social media users across the political spectrum expressed relief at his silence, with one user quipping that Vance had “kept his dumb mouth shut.”
Meanwhile, the political landscape in Vance’s home state of Ohio is shifting rapidly. As reported by cleveland.com and USA Today, Senator Sherrod Brown has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2025, raising $3.6 million in his first 24 hours—a figure nearly matching the $4 million raised by Republican incumbent Jon Husted since his appointment. Brown’s 2024 race was the most expensive non-presidential campaign in U.S. history, and with a dark-money group funded by $140 million from the cryptocurrency industry targeting him in 2026, the stakes are higher than ever.
Elsewhere in Ohio, ex-U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan is weighing a run for governor, while ex-state health director Amy Acton remains the only major Democratic candidate in the race. Other political battles are brewing as well: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recently asked a federal appeals court to reinstate a law requiring parental consent for children under 16 to use social media, and over 800 children under age 12 were exposed to cannabis in 2024—a 52% increase from the previous year, largely involving marijuana edibles.
Back in Philadelphia, the mural’s presence has become part of the city’s daily rhythm. Waitstaff like Sam Helm go about their routines beneath the watchful, baby-faced gaze of the Vice President, while locals and tourists alike stop to snap photos, laugh, and share their thoughts online. The mural, produced by FUBAR PAC, is more than just a meme—it’s a conversation starter, a piece of protest art, and a testament to the enduring power of satire in American political life.
As Jack Inacker put it, sometimes the best way to confront serious issues is with a little bit of silliness. In a city famous for its murals, this one stands out—not just for its humor, but for the questions it raises about leadership, accountability, and the role of art in democracy. For now, the baby-faced Vice President on Girard Avenue is a reminder that, in politics as in art, a picture really can be worth a thousand words.
