The Department of Homeland Security has refuted the man’s claims
A tourist has claimed he was denied entry into the US for a rather unusual reason.
People wishing to enter America risk having their phone checked by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), officers have long held.
The CBP website states: “CBP’s ability to lawfully inspect electronic devices crossing the border is integral to keeping America safe in an increasingly digital world.
“All travelers crossing the United States border are subject to CBP inspection. On rare occasions, CBP officers may search a traveler’s mobile phone, computer, camera, or other electronic devices during the inspection process.”
While they say it’s ‘rare’ that devices are checked, some believe there’s been an increase in officers exercising this right of late, so much so people are being urged to turn their iPhone’s face ID off before their travels, or to turn their cellphone off completely.
CBP officers have the right to go through people’s electronic devices (Getty Stock Image)
This is because CBP officers can reportedly unlock your device using your likeness ‘without violating the Constitution’.
One person who claims to have recently had their phone checked is 21-year-old Mads Mikkelsen (no, not the Casino Royale actor).
Mads says that when officers looked through his phone, they discovered a meme of Vice President JD Vance with no hair and an egg-shaped head, resulting in them denying him entry in the US.
The original meme was made by X user @DaveMcNamee3000, who initially created the picture in October 2024, vowing to ‘ turn JD Vance into a progressively apple cheeked baby’ for every 100 likes it got.
For every 100 likes I will turn JD Vance into a progressively apple cheeked baby
Mads says the incident was ‘abuse of power and harassment’, per Mail Online.
“They asked questions about drug trafficking, terrorist plots and right-wing extremism totally without reason,” he went on to tell Nordlys.
Mads also alleged that was threatened ‘with a minimum fine of $5,000 or five years in prison if I refused to provide the password to my phone’.
Supposedly, he was not allowed to leave the airport and put in a cell.
In light of Mads’ allegations coming to light, American authorities have denied that he wasn’t allowed into the US as a result of the odd Vance meme.
Fact Check: FALSE Mads Mikkelsen was not denied entry for any memes or political reasons, it was for his admitted drug use.
Sharing a screengrab of a Mail Online article on the matter, CBP tweeted: “Fact Check: FALSE. Mads Mikkelsen was not denied entry for any memes or political reasons, it was for his admitted drug use.”
The Department of Homeland Security has also refuted Mads’ claims. It wrote on Facebook: “FACT CHECK. Claims that Mads Mikkelsen was denied entry because of a meme are unequivocally FALSE.”
It added: “Mikkelson was refused entry into the U.S. for his admitted drug use. Only those who respect our laws and follow the rules will be welcomed into our country.”Featured Image Credit: @DaveMcNamee3000/Twitter
Topics: JD Vance, News, Travel, US News
Niamh Shackleton
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Updated 11:21 21 Jun 2025 GMT+1Published 11:22 21 Jun 2025 GMT+1
JD Vance slammed for giving ‘racist’ nickname to US Senator Alex Padilla in disturbing interview footage
Vice President JD Vance has been called out for supposedly using the wrong name for a US Senate on purpose
JD Vance is being called out online for his actions that some people are insisting were not accidental.
Vance is no stranger to controversy and just last month found himself in hot water for his supposedly ‘inappropriate’ gesture towards Pope Leo.
Visiting the new pontiff last month, Vance shook Pope Leo’s hand before touching his elbow. Many found the latter action to be ‘disrespectful’ towards the Head of the Catholic Church, as others branded it as ‘almost condescending’.
Now, Vance is receiving backlash for something else after a press conference yesterday (June 20) where he addressed the ongoing unrest in Los Angeles amid the influx of arrests in the city by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
A reporter asked the Vice President of the United States: “Democrat lawmakers keep getting handcuffed. The New York Times just did a story, they keep getting handcuffed, suggested that the Trump administration is cracking down on Democrats. Can you comment on that?”
Vance proceeded to reply: “Well, I was hoping José Padilla would be here to ask a question, but unfortunately I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn’t the theater, and that’s all it is.”
The person he was referring to is actually called Alex Padilla, who is a senior US senator in California.
Padilla, who was born and raised in LA, is of Mexican decent and some people have branded Vance as ‘racist’ for calling him José — a common name in Mexico.
One person to call him out was Governor of California, Gavin Newsom.
Alex Padilla is a US Senate in California (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Sharing a snippet of the interview, Newsom penned on Twitter: “JD Vance served with Alex Padilla in the United States Senate. Calling him ‘Jose Padilla’ is not an accident.”
Someone else said: “Holy sh*t. I walked away from twitter for five minutes and I come back to JD F**king Vance calling SENATOR Alex Padilla ‘Jose’… Are you f**king kidding me?”
Another person penned: “MAJOR BREAKING: In a staggeringly racist and disgusting moment, JD Vance refers to Senator Alex Padilla as ‘José Padilla.’ JD Vance is a complete embarrassment.”
Padilla has made his feelings towards the Trump administration and its ongoing arrests in LA very clear.
Addressing Trump deploying the National Guard in the city, Padilla said on Twitter yesterday: “Trump’s unnecessary and counterproductive deployment of the California National Guard over the will of the Governor and without coordination with local law enforcement only served to inflame tensions in Los Angeles.
“The court’s decision strongly reaffirms that the Guard can only be deployed in clearly defined circumstances—not as a political weapon against Californians at the sole discretion of Donald Trump.”
Padilla has been approached for comment following Vance’s recent remarks.Featured Image Credit: NBCLA
Topics: JD Vance, Social Media, Racism, US News, Politics, Immigration
Niamh Shackleton
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Updated 10:14 20 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 18:43 11 Apr 2025 GMT+1
US fires head of military base in Greenland over comments made about JD Vance
Susannah Meyers has been fired following her meeting with JD Vance last month
The head of the US military base in Greenland had been fired after distancing herself from the Trump administration’s stance on the Danish territory.
Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland last month after Donald Trump’s vow to acquire the nation.
But the US has been hit with a trifecta of ‘we are not interested’ responses from the people of Greenland, politicians of the nation, as well as Denmark.
Speaking at a military base last month, Vance faced criticism for a surprising comment he made in relation to Trump.
Answering a question from a reporter about Trump’s latest comments about Greenland, he said: “Well, the president said we have to have Greenland and I think that we do have to be more serious about the security of Greenland.
The Trump administration has removed the head of military base in Greenland (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“We can’t just ignore this place, we can’t just ignore the president’s desires but most importantly we can’t ignore what I said earlier, that is the Russian and Chinese encroachment in Greenland, we have to do more.
“What the president said in his state of the union address, he was very clear about this, we respect the self determination of the people of Greenland, but my argument again to them is that I think you would be a lot better coming under the United States security umbrella than you have been under Denmark’s security umbrella.”
Susannah Meyers, the commander of the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, has been removed by the US after slamming Washington’s stance on the territory.
Military.com reports Meyers send out an email to the space base commending the comments made by Vance during his recent visit to Greenland.
The email reportedly read: “I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base.”
Colonel Shawn Lee has since been announced as Meyers’ replacement.
Susannah Meyers pictured with JD Vance last month (JIM WATSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A press release from the Space Operations Command states: “Colonel Susannah Meyers, commander of Pituffik Space Base was removed from command by Colonel Kenneth Klock, commander of Space Base Delta 1, on April 10, 2025 for loss of confidence in her ability to lead.
“Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties.
“Colonel Shawn Lee has assumed command.”
Speaking further about the removal of Meyers, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote on Twitter: “Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.”Featured Image Credit: Jim Watson – Pool / Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Greenland, Politics, US News, JD Vance
Updated 10:13 20 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 15:13 16 Mar 2025 GMT
JD Vance takes aim at Europe again following ‘disrespectful’ comments ‘about UK troops’
US Vice President JD Vance has shared more ‘honest’ thoughts about Europe
US Vice President JD Vance has weighed in on the ‘issues’ he believes Europe faces, just days after he received backlash for a comment many felt was aimed at the UK.
JD Vance clearly isn’t done with dishing out advice, not only warning Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskky of not being ‘disrespectful’ towards the US during his trip to the White House’s Oval Office, but now offering a few choice words to Europe too.
Asked how he sees the US’ relationship with Europe, Vance told Fox News: “I really believe we have great deal in common with Europe. And yes the Europeans annoy me sometimes and I disagree with them on certain issues but we have to remember that is the cradle of Western civilisation.
JD Vance warns Europe ‘risk’ ‘engaging in civilisational suicide’
Credit: Fox News
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“The entire idea of Christian civilisation that led to the founding of the United States of America, that was formed in Europe – the cultural bonds, the religious bonds – these things are going to last beyond political disagreements.”
However, Vance warned Europe is ‘at risk’ of ‘engaging in civilisational suicide’.
While noting he would’ve said the US was at risk of doing the same a year ago, Vance continued: “They are unable – or unwilling – too many countries to control their borders. You see them starting to push back against that and that’s a good thing.
“You see them starting to limit the free speech of their citizens, even as their citizens are protesting against things like the border invasion that got Donald Trump and a number of European leaders elected.”
JD Vance has given his advice to Europe – whether it wanted it or not (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
He added: “I want Europe to thrive. I want them to be an important ally. Part of that is going to be Europe respecting its own people, respecting its own sovereignty and America can’t do that job for them.”
Vance later resolved when looking at Europe, the US sees ‘a great civilisation’ and a ‘great ally’ but ‘also sees some free speech issues’ and ‘sees that they’re doing things on borders which aren’t ultimately bad for their countries but are bad for us’.
“Friends can have honest conversations with each other,” he went on.
Whether or not he could argue his comments ‘about UK troops’ were all part of ‘friends’ having ‘honest conversations with each other,’ well, others weren’t left so convinced.
Friendly advice eh? (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
While speaking on Fox News on March 4, Vance said: “The president knows that if you want real US security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine.
“That is a way better security guarantee from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.”
One Twitter user commented: “JD Vance’s claim that the UK hasn’t fought a war in 30-40 years insults the 600+ British troops who died in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside Americans.
“Disrespectful to their sacrifice and our alliance, time for an apology, not ignorance.”Featured Image Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
Topics: Politics, UK News, US News, JD Vance
Updated 10:12 20 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 10:10 20 Apr 2025 GMT+1
Vatican reveals what was said to JD Vance in awkward meeting after exchanging ‘cordial talks’
JD Vance was in Vatican City on Saturday to speak with officials
The Vatican has detailed exactly what was said to Vice President JD Vance in a somewhat awkward exchange that took place on Saturday (April 19).
Vance, who is a a Catholic convert, touched down in Vatican City over the weekend for a meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state, and foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
While the Vatican admitted to ‘cordial’ talks, there was perhaps unexpectedly a difference of opinion between the two parties in the meeting.
The Holy See has certainly remained very cautions over the Trump administration, acting somewhat against’s the 47 POTUS’ stance on immigration.
They also took a step back when Trump announced he was cutting international aid to Ukraine following an explosive Oval Office row between Trump and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Vatican has also called for a peaceful end to the conflicts taking place in Ukraine and Gaza.
The Vatican has revealed what was said to JD Vance (Kenny Holston – Pool/Getty Images)
While Vance did not meet with Pope Francis amid his ongoing recovery from pneumonia, the Vatican did detail the conversations that took place with Vance.
“There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention to migrants, refugees, and prisoners,” they said.
“Finally, hope was expressed for serene collaboration between the state and the Catholic church in the United States, whose valuable service to the most vulnerable people was acknowledged.”
Prior to Vance’s visit on Saturday, Parolin told La Repubblica: “It is clear that the approach of the current US administration is very different from what we are used to and, especially in the west, from what we have relied on for many years.”
JD Vance with Pietro Parolin on Saturday (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
Pope Francis penned a letter to US bishops just days before he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia in February.
The Pope appeared to correct Vance after the VP claimed that Catholic doctrine justified the Trump administration’s hard stance on immigration.
“Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extends to other persons and groups,” the Pope wrote.
“The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the good Samaritan, that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.”
Vance hasn’t hid away from the criticism thrown his way by Francis, but has continued to defend his views, dubbing himself a ‘Baby Catholic’.Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Vatican Pool
Topics: News, Politics, Religion, US News, World News, JD Vance
