JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President, defended Donald Trump after the latter posted AI-edited videos mocking Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, which sparked complaints and accusations of racism from Democrats.

Last Monday, Trump posted a clip on his social media platform Truth Social showing Jeffries speaking outside the White House with a long mustache and a Mexican hat, set to Mexican mariachi music in the background, according to Reuters.

It is noteworthy that Jeffries is Black and his mother’s origins trace back to Cape Verde.

Jeffries condemned the original post, calling it disgusting in an interview with MSNBC. However, Trump later posted a video of the Democratic leader from the interview with a long mustache and a Mexican hat added. The White House then displayed the clip on large screens in the press conference room on Wednesday.

In response to a reporter’s question about how the images align with the White House’s assertion of willingness to negotiate in good faith with Democratic leaders, JD Vance said, “I think it’s funny, the president is joking and we’re having a good time.”

“You can negotiate in good faith while mocking some of the Democrats’ ridiculous stances, and even, you know, mocking the Democrats’ own ridiculousness.”

This comes as the United States enters a government shutdown for the first time in seven years after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on legislation to fund the government. The U.S. president seeks to use the shutdown to target projects serving the Democrats’ political agenda, especially regarding climate and energy.