Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance is facing renewed scrutiny after doubling down on his 2021 comments labeling prominent Democratic women, including Vice President Kamala Harris, as “childless cat ladies.” These remarks, which initially sparked controversy, have resurfaced and ignited a fresh wave of backlash as the election season intensifies.
In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show,” Vance attempted to clarify his stance, stating, “Obviously, it was a sarcastic comment. I’ve got nothing against cats.” He shifted blame to the media, accusing them of emphasizing the sarcasm while overlooking the intended substance of his message.
However, critics argue that the substance itself is deeply problematic. Vance’s original remarks, made on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News program, targeted Harris, alongside Pete Buttigieg and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, asserting that the Democratic Party’s future is controlled by “childless cat ladies” who aim to impose misery on the rest of the nation. This broadside immediately drew accusations of sexism and ageism.
Kamala Harris in Washington on Thursday.
Despite the widespread condemnation, Vance maintained his position in the Megyn Kelly interview. He claimed, “It’s not a criticism of people who don’t have children. I explicitly said in my remarks … this is not about criticizing people who for various reasons don’t have kids. This is about criticizing the Democratic Party for becoming anti-family and anti-child.” This attempt to reframe his statement as a critique of the Democratic Party’s policies rather than personal attacks on individuals has done little to quell the controversy.
The resurgence of Vance’s “childless cat lady” commentary has amplified criticism from various quarters. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston have publicly condemned Vance’s words, with Aniston expressing disbelief that such remarks could come from a potential Vice President. Aniston directly addressed the implications of Vance’s stance on reproductive rights, highlighting the hypocrisy of his comments in light of policies that could restrict access to IVF.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, Kamala Harris’s stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, responded directly to Vance’s remarks via Instagram. Emhoff questioned how someone could be labeled “childless” when they are a devoted step-parent, referencing herself and her brother Cole. Her mother, Kerstin Emhoff, further defended Harris, emphasizing her active and loving role as a co-parent for over a decade.
The controversy surrounding Vance’s “childless cat lady” remarks underscores the escalating tensions as the political landscape heats up. Critics argue that his rhetoric is not only divisive but also reveals a deeper anti-family sentiment masked as political commentary. As the election approaches, Vance’s past statements are likely to remain a focal point of debate and continue to fuel discussions about family values, gender politics, and the nature of political discourse.
