Donald Trump mutes call with foreign leader and presses ‘big red button’ as ‘nuclear’ prank on JD Vance

JD Vance has provided an insight into his relationship with Donald Trump, recalling the moment the US President pranked him during a phone call with the foreign leader.

At a recent public appearance at a Republican Party dinner in Ohio, the Vice President, 40, revealed that a serious discussion with Trump, 79, ended in utter hysterics.

According to Vance, Trump was on the phone with a foreign leader in the Oval Office at the time when things appeared to be heading in the wrong direction.

"The president looks over at me, puts the foreign leader on mute and says, 'This is not going very well'," he told the Republicans.

A short moment later, Trump' pressed the red button on his desk, and Vance immediately thought the worst.

“My eyes get really big, And I'm like, ‘Mr. President, what just happened?’” the politician explained.

“And he looks at me and he goes, ‘Nuclear. Nuclear’.”

Whilst laughing on stage, you can assume nothing awful happened, as Vance revealed: “And two minutes later, a guy walks in with a Diet Coke.

“And he looks back at me and he says, 'It wasn't nuclear. It's just the Diet Coke button'.”

After having a little chuckle, he said to the crowd: “So that's the kind of guy, my fellow Republicans, that we have as the president of the United States.”

Everybody stop what you’re doing and listen to this 🤣

I’m howling.

JD VANCE: “The president looks over at me, puts the foreign leader on mute and says, ‘This is not going very well.’ And he presses the red button.”

“My eyes get really big, And I'm like, ‘Mr. President, you… pic.twitter.com/WK3aiyV3Yc

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 25, 2025

What is the Diet Coke button?

Shortly after Trump was sworn in for the second time on 20 January 2025, a photographer from The Wall Street Journal was given exclusive access into the Oval Office.

"A valet button that Trump famously used to order Diet Cokes was set up and ready to go," the outlet reported. And just hours later, a wooden box on his desk with the red button inside was pictured.

The Diet Coke button was installed during his first administration and quite clearly, the US president, who doesn't drink alcohol, certainly loves a glass of Coca-Cola.

His affinity for the drink was shown before he was sworn into office when Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO James Quincey gifted Trump an inaugural bottle of Diet Coke.

As of late, Trump and the US have found themselves at the centre of the rising conflict between Iran and Israel.

Shortly after the US President made the announcement of a ceasefire, however, Israel accused Iran of launching a missile and 'violating' the agreement - which Iran denied.

They threatened to 'respond forcibly' on Iran, before Trump stepped in an attempt to resolve concerns from each side, with a temporary hold being put in place after Israeli Prime Minster, Benjamin Netanyahu, spoke to him.

And fair to say, Trump was 'not happy' with either side as he launched into an explosive rant when interviewed by reporters - even dropping the F-Bomb.