Topline
Vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said was being “sarcastic” in 2021 when he made comments that have now exploded across the media—in which he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats as “childless cat ladies” who have no “direct stake” in the future of the country—but doubled-down on the point of his comments, telling Megyn Kelly on Friday that Democrats have become “anti-family and anti-child.”
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, went on “The Megyn Kelly Show” to address 2021 comments of his that … [+]
Key Facts
Trump’s running mate has received a tidal wave of criticism in recent days over the resurfaced comments, though he said on “The Megyn Kelly Show” it was “obviously sarcastic.”
But he also said the country has “become anti-family,” and “it is true that the left has become anti-child,” adding that “ it is simply true that it’s become way too hard to raise a family.”
Vance continued, saying he knows “the media wants to attack me and wants me to back down,” but that having children “changes your perspective in a pretty profound way.”
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Crucial Quote
“This is not about criticizing people who for various reasons didn’t have kids, this is about criticizing the Democratic Party for becoming anti-family and anti-child,” Vance told Kelly. “I’m proud to stand up for parents and I hope the parents out there recognize that I’m a guy who wants to fight for you.”
News Peg
The controversial clips of Vance criticizing Democratic leaders for not having children resurfaced earlier this week. In the first clip of a 2021 speech, Vance named Harris, Secretary of Transporation Pete Buttigeg, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as the next generation of people in the Democratic Party who don’t have children (Harris is a step-mother to two children and Buttigeg adopted twins shortly after Vance’s comments). After the speech drew criticism, Vance then went on Tucker Carlson’s show to defend it and named Harris, Buttigeg and Ocasio-Cortez again, saying the U.S. was effectively run “via the Democrats” by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable” and want to make others miserable, too.
Chief Critics
Vance’s “cat lady” comment has been criticized not only by pundits and Democrats, but also by actress Jennifer Aniston, who said on Instagram “I truly can’t believe this is coming from a potential VP of the United States.” She added: “I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day.” Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., posted that to suggest step-parents like Harris or those unable to have kids—like she and her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who tried IVF before Giffords was shot in 2011—“are somehow lesser is disgraceful.” Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff wrote in an Instagram story on Thursday “I love my 3 parents” and questioned how Vance could call Harris “childless.” Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s ex-wife, who he had two children with, told NBC News Harris has “been a co-parent” with them and “is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present.”
Key Background
Trump named Vance as his running mate last week at the Republican National Convention. Vance has struggled in polling: One CNN poll found he is the least liked non-incumbent vice presidential nominee after the party’s convention since 1980, and is the first to have a net negative favorable rating (-6). His policies lean heavily toward a pro-family agenda that offers government funding to couples with children and those who stay married—and tax penalties for the childless.
Further Reading
Israel and Hamas. Previously, she has covered a range of topics from Donald Trump’s legal battles to Taylor Swift’s path to becoming a billionaire. She joined Forbes in April 2022 and is based in Colorado. Prior to joining Forbes, Bohannon covered local news and spent time at the Fort Collins Coloradoan and the Arizona Republic. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Creighton University and has an MA in investigative journalism from Arizona State. Follow Bohannon for continued coverage of pop culture, politics and updates on the war in Gaza.
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