Eyeliner? Friendship bracelets? Internet reacts to VP debate with JD Vance, Tim Walz

President Donald Trump's running mate, Republican Sen. JD Vance, and Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, went head-to-head at the vice-presidential debate Tuesday night. The two sparred about issues such as the crises in the Middle East, Obamacare, immigration, gun regulation, and more. But the internet is reacting to more than their talking points.

After the politicians were asked questions regarding foreign policy and their stances on abortion, people started honing in on their outfits.

Did Walz wear a Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelet during the debate? And what was going on with Vance's tie? Here's how the internet is reacting to the fashion statements at the VP debate.

2024 Presidential Election:Read the full transcript of the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz

Social media reacts to VP debate: Was Vance's tie pink or red?

The tie is stirring up conversations among social media users.

"Vance is disqualified from being Vice President because he chose this tie for tonight's debate," said one user on X, formerly known as Twitter, about Tuesday's VP debate.

Some are calling the tie tacky, but others are praising him for wearing a pink tie on the first day of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month.

"JD Vance wearing a pink tie to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month," posted user Amelia Foley. "Love this guy."

It is not confirmed if JD Vance wore the tie in light of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The pink representing breast cancer is a pastel pink, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. But, the ribbon for inflammatory breast cancer is a fuchsia color, that could resemble Vance's tie.

However, the tie may not even be a shade of pink.

In some photos, Vance's tie looks red with a pattern on it. But, in other photos, Vance looks like he is wearing a fuchsia tie.

USA TODAY reached out to Vance's office for comment.

Social media reacts to VP debate: Did Walz have on friendship bracelets?

Other fashion choices at the VP debate include Walz possibly wearing a friendship bracelet.

Like Vance's tie, Walz's friendship bracelet garnered criticism and compliments.

"Tim Walz is seriously wearing a Taylor Swift friendship bracelet right now," posted X user Lori Love. "What kind of grown man does that!?"

"@Tim_Walz wore friendship bracelets during the VP debate, and that should tell you everything you need to know about how good of a person he is," said another X user, @kelceswifts.

The bracelet looks like one that the Harris campaign released after Taylor Swift endorsed the presidential hopeful, according to People.

When the bracelets were first released, they sold out in 12 hours, according to the Athens Banner-Herald, a part of the USA TODAY Network. They are now available for pre-order on the campaign's website and are set to be released later this month on Oct. 15.

Social media reacts to VP debate: Did JD Vance wear eyeliner?

The internet is debating over whether the senator puts on a bit of eyeliner before he makes his public appearances, but that may not be the case.

"I’ve met him in person before he was a senator, and I can confirm he has long eyelashes, and they cast a shadow on his waterline when [the] studios are full of lights," messaged former Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from the House of Representatives after he was indicted on 23 federal counts, including fraud. "Grow up people!"

Despite Santos and other social media users coming to defend Vance's long lashes, some online aren't buying it.

"JD Vance's eyeliner makes me giggle every time like 'yes girl,'" tweeted X user, @lovemepartly.

The claim that Vance wears eyeliner began to circulate in September, according to The Independent.

"Why does JD Vance always look like he's wearing eyeliner?" quote-tweeted journalist James Surowiecki. "He doesn't really seem like the goth-boy type."

After that, the floodgates were opened. Social media users started to share instances where the senator seemed to have black-smudged water lines during public appearances.

Rumors regarding Vance have been circulating since Trump announced that he would be the former president's running mate, including a rather unsavory one involving a couch.

This story was updated to add new information.

Contributing: Saman Shafiq, Bart Jansen USA TODAY; Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer; Vanessa Countryman, Athens Banner-Herald.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]