Self-media report: On May 13, U.S. Vice President Vance said that during President Trump's overseas trip, he felt a bit like Macaulay Culkin from the movie *Home Alone*.

Vance’s self-deprecating remark may seem like a joke on the surface, but it actually carries multiple layers of political subtext.

Surface meaning: The "loneliness" of staying behind in the White House

On May 13, Trump embarked on his visit to China, accompanied by Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and business leaders including Elon Musk and Tim Cook. As vice president, Vance is required by Secret Service regulations to remain in the U.S. when the president travels abroad, thus unable to accompany him.

Vance said at a press conference:

"I walked into the White House, and it was incredibly quiet—no one around. It took me a moment to realize what had actually happened."

This description closely mirrors the scene in *Home Alone*, where Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind by his family. The image of "the big boss away, the little one left in charge" is instantly relatable, helping the public quickly grasp Vance’s situation at the time.

But is this really the case?

The reality wasn’t quite as “lonely” as it seemed.

From a legal standpoint, Vance’s stay behind was actually quite dignified: Trump did not invoke Section 3 of the 25th Amendment (which allows a president to temporarily transfer power to the vice president when unable to perform duties), so Vance did not assume presidential authority. However, politically speaking, with the entire core diplomatic team traveling with the president, Vance—as the highest-ranking executive official remaining in Washington—was effectively the "de facto controller" of the White House.

Even more telling: Before Trump boarded the plane, Vance made a high-profile appearance entering the White House with his two sons, smiling broadly—a clear display of "owner’s posture." According to Washington political tradition, officials staying behind during a presidential trip typically maintain a low profile. Vance’s deliberate visibility during this window was widely interpreted as sending a signal: "The next person to walk into the Oval Office might be me."

Vance’s self-mockery with “Home Alone”

In fact, before departing, Trump publicly confirmed that Vance would oversee the National Security Council—clearly laying groundwork for Vance’s potential run in 2028. This metaphor also playfully highlights Vance’s status as an outsider on the international stage, while subtly signaling that within the most critical domestic power structure, he is already the true "head of household."

In short, Vance’s comment was a carefully crafted “political stand-up comedy” routine. It used a popular culture reference to ease the embarrassment of being excluded from high-level diplomacy, simultaneously building a relatable, humorous persona. At the same time, within the boundaries of legal authority, it quietly advanced his position on the 2028 election chessboard.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865118089271360/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.