Animal
‘I have nothing against cats’: How JD Vance defended ‘childless cat ladies’ comment amid backlash; Watch video
Sen. J.D. Vance, recently announced as former President Donald Trump’s running mate, defended his 2021 comments disparaging Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, as “childless hot ladies” who “want to make the rest of the country miserable.”
The comments resurfaced on social media after Trump’s announcement, drawing renewed attention and controversy.
In response to the scrutiny, Vance appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show on Sirius XM on Friday, standing by his remarks. He described his comments as sarcastic but reaffirmed his belief that having children provides a different perspective on social issues.
“Obviously, it was a sarcastic comment. I have nothing against cats, I have nothing against dogs. I have a dog at home and I love him,” Vance said. He added: “People are focusing too much on the sarcasm and not the substance of what I actually said. The substance of what I said, Megyn — I’m sorry, it’s true.”
Vance dismissed the criticism as a distraction from the substance of his argument. “This is not a criticism of people who don’t have children,” Vance clarified. “I said explicitly in my remarks that this is not about criticizing people who, for various reasons, don’t have children. This is about criticizing the Democratic Party for becoming anti-family and anti-child.”
He argued that his comments were aimed at the Democratic Party’s alleged shift toward family-oriented values. “What I was basically saying is that we are effectively run in this country — by the Democrats, by our corporate oligarchs — by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are unhappy with their own lives,” Vance said.
Vance also criticized media coverage of his comments, suggesting that the focus on the sarcastic nature of his remarks overshadowed their substance. “I know the media wants to attack me and wants me to back down, Megyn, but the simple point I made is that having children — becoming a father, becoming a mother — I really think it changes your perspective in a very profound way.”
Resurfacing controversy
In a July 2021 interview with then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Vance criticized Democratic leaders, suggesting that their childlessness influenced their policies and attitudes toward the country. He described figures like Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as “miserable” and without “direct stake” in the country because they do not have children.
“It’s just a basic fact — you look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC — the entire future of Democrats is controlled by childless people,” Vance said.
Criticism and reactions
The comments drew backlash, particularly given Harris’ role as stepmother to her husband Doug Emhoff’s two children, Cole and Ella.
Critics, including actress Jennifer Aniston and Ella Emhoff, challenged Vance’s characterization, with Ella responding on Instagram, “How can you be ‘childless’ when you have cute kids like Cole and I? I love my three daddies.”
The comments resurfaced on social media after Trump’s announcement, drawing renewed attention and controversy.
In response to the scrutiny, Vance appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show on Sirius XM on Friday, standing by his remarks. He described his comments as sarcastic but reaffirmed his belief that having children provides a different perspective on social issues.
“Obviously, it was a sarcastic comment. I have nothing against cats, I have nothing against dogs. I have a dog at home and I love him,” Vance said. He added: “People are focusing too much on the sarcasm and not the substance of what I actually said. The substance of what I said, Megyn — I’m sorry, it’s true.”
Vance dismissed the criticism as a distraction from the substance of his argument. “This is not a criticism of people who don’t have children,” Vance clarified. “I said explicitly in my remarks that this is not about criticizing people who, for various reasons, don’t have children. This is about criticizing the Democratic Party for becoming anti-family and anti-child.”
He argued that his comments were aimed at the Democratic Party’s alleged shift toward family-oriented values. “What I was basically saying is that we are effectively run in this country — by the Democrats, by our corporate oligarchs — by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are unhappy with their own lives,” Vance said.
Vance also criticized media coverage of his comments, suggesting that the focus on the sarcastic nature of his remarks overshadowed their substance. “I know the media wants to attack me and wants me to back down, Megyn, but the simple point I made is that having children — becoming a father, becoming a mother — I really think it changes your perspective in a very profound way.”
Resurfacing controversy
In a July 2021 interview with then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Vance criticized Democratic leaders, suggesting that their childlessness influenced their policies and attitudes toward the country. He described figures like Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as “miserable” and without “direct stake” in the country because they do not have children.
“It’s just a basic fact — you look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC — the entire future of Democrats is controlled by childless people,” Vance said.
Criticism and reactions
The comments drew backlash, particularly given Harris’ role as stepmother to her husband Doug Emhoff’s two children, Cole and Ella.
Critics, including actress Jennifer Aniston and Ella Emhoff, challenged Vance’s characterization, with Ella responding on Instagram, “How can you be ‘childless’ when you have cute kids like Cole and I? I love my three daddies.”
