JD Vance Doubles Down on ‘Childless Cat Ladies’ Comment, Calls Democrats ‘Antifamily’
By Jake Beardslee ·
July 26, 2024
Ohio Republican Senator JD Vance has addressed the controversy surrounding his resurfaced comments about "childless cat ladies" running the country. In a recent appearance on "The Megyn Kelly Show," Vance attempted to clarify his stance and redirect criticism towards the Democratic Party. David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK
Vance, who was recently chosen by former President Trump as a potential running mate, defended his 2021 remarks, characterizing them as a "sarcastic comment." William Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK
"I know the media wants to attack me and wants me to back down on this, Megyn, but the simple point that I made is that having children, becoming a father, becoming a mother, I really do think it changes your perspective in a pretty profound way," Vance explained. Mike De Sisti, Mike De Sisti / USA TODAY NETWORK
The senator insisted that his comments were not meant to criticize individuals without children but rather to highlight what he perceives as the Democratic Party's anti-family stance. He cited examples such as continued support for child masking policies post-pandemic and alleged opposition to the child tax credit by the Harris campaign. Jasper Colt / USA TODAY NETWORK
"This is about criticizing the Democratic Party for becoming antifamily and antichildren," Vance stated. "It's because they have become antifamily and antikid. And I'm proud to stand up for parents." Mike De Sisti / USA TODAY NETWORK
Vance's original comments, made during his 2021 Senate campaign, suggested that the country was being run by "a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too." He specifically mentioned Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as examples. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
The controversy has sparked criticism from Democrats, the Harris campaign, and celebrities. Actress Jennifer Aniston took to Instagram to express her concerns, writing, "Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day. I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her, too." Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK
In a recent interview on CNN’s “The Source," Secretary Buttigieg noted that Vance's comments coincided with a delay in his and his husband's adoption efforts. Cody Scanlan/Holland Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
In response to the backlash, a Harris campaign spokesperson stated, according to The Hill, "It's only been 11 days, but voters know the Trump-Vance ticket is running to take America backwards and take away our freedoms – but as Vice President Harris has said, we will not go back." Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Vance's comments and subsequent defense will impact his political standing and the broader discourse on family values in American politics. Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
