US Vice President JD Vance has called for a ban on the viral meme ‘6-7’ after an incident involving his young son during a church service. The incident, which took place on December 9, 2025, saw Vance’s five-year-old repeating the phrase during Bible readings, leading Vance to express his frustration on social media.
The ‘6-7’ meme, initially a playful trend among younger generations, has grown into a cultural phenomenon that has reached the highest levels of US politics. Vance’s remarks underscore how deeply embedded the meme has become, transitioning from platforms like TikTok to everyday family life.
In his post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Vance recounted the moment: “Yesterday at church the Bible readings started on page 66-67 of the missal, and my 5-year-old went absolutely nuts repeating ‘six seven’ like 10 times.” He added humorously that this situation led him to consider a “narrow exception” to the First Amendment to ban the numbers permanently.
Vance’s confusion over the meme’s origins reflects a broader parental concern. He questioned, “Where did this even come from? I don’t understand it. When we were kids, all of our viral trends at least had an origin story.” His post drew a variety of responses, ranging from support for the ban to further memes mocking the Vice President’s reaction.
One parent echoed Vance’s sentiments, stating, “Someone on a podcast said ‘6, 7 years,’ and it activated my 12-year-old like he was a sleeper agent. I agree. Ban it. For the good of us all.” Another parent humorously pleaded, “Uniting parents everywhere with this one. Can you look into that ban, though—please?”
Yet not all responses were supportive. Critics pointed out the absurdity of his focus on a meme while more pressing issues, such as homelessness among veterans, persist. One user remarked, “JD Vance, there are veterans living homeless, and you are creating legislation to ban 6 7. You’re such a niche baby.” Another called the administration “the most unserious of all time,” suggesting that Vance and others should focus on more substantial issues.
As discussions surrounding the meme intensify, Vance’s parenting style has also come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, he shared insights into handling tantrums with his children during an interview. He revealed that in public settings, he tends to take them to the bathroom to address their behavior directly, stating, “You got to cut that shit out.”
Despite Vance’s mixed feelings about the meme, ‘6-7’ does have a documented backstory. Dictionary.com identifies it as brainrot slang, with its roots linked to a 2024 song by Philadelphia rapper Lord Skrilla, titled “Doot Doot (6 7),” which prominently features the phrase. The trend gained momentum on TikTok, where a boy dubbed the ’67 Kid’ went viral for exuberantly shouting “67!” at a youth basketball game. The meme has since interwoven with references to LaMelo Ball, an NBA player known for his height of 6 feet 7 inches, and clips featuring rising basketball talent Taylen Kinney.
Whether Vance will pursue his call for a ban remains uncertain. In the meantime, the ‘6-7’ meme continues to thrive online, leaving many, including parents, politicians, and linguists, grappling with its unexpected cultural impact.
