Donald Trump Gives GOP Official a ‘Star Wars’ Villain’s Name in Bizarre Warning to Democrats
During a recent lunch held at the White House Rose Garden for Republican lawmakers, Donald Trump gave one of his top officials a curious nickname straight out of the Star Wars universe, interrupting his remarks in the middle of a serious discussion. He said: “We have Darth Vader. You know Darth Vader, right?… They call him Darth Vader, I call him a fine man. But he’s cutting Democrat priorities and they’re never gonna get them back.” The man he referred to is Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget — someone who has quietly become one of Trump’s strongest enforcers during the ongoing government shutdown.
Trump’s reference wasn’t just playful — it was pointed. Vought has been pushing through sweeping budget cuts, especially in Democrat-led states, and is connected to the conservative policy blueprint known as Project 2025. Trump had previously distanced himself from Project 2025, calling it “someone else’s plan,” but the nickname and tone suggest he’s now embracing Vought’s role with more enthusiasm.
Social-media users reacted quickly and harshly, questioning the tone and clarity of the moment. One user wrote, “I’m sorry, what is happening here? As a non-American, I assumed this was AI because it makes less sense than usual but alas, it is real and I am once again flabbergasted.” Another asked, “Why does he name-drop, then ask if people know who he’s talking about like he’s setting up some stand-up bit?” A frustrated user added, “Is Donald Trump displaying signs of senile dementia? I’m so tired of ‘Republican priorities’ vs ‘Democrat priorities.’ How about American priorities — food prices, schools, housing, healthcare, peace. Trump stop dividing us!”
In his remarks, Trump claimed that his administration is now trimming funding for major projects in states controlled by Democrats, including the roughly $20 billion New York Gateway Tunnel Project. He framed the move as a form of victory: if you oppose his agenda, your priorities will disappear.
