(WASHINGTON) The Internet loves cats, but clichés about childless women don’t have to: Donald Trump’s ultra-conservative running mate JD Vance learned this the hard way after incendiary comments aimed at Kamala Harris. .
In a video that has resurfaced online from 2021, the Republican nominee for the future vice president accuses incumbent Democrats of being “unhappy cat ladies.” unhappy nation” and lacking “direct interest” in the welfare of the nation because they are childless.
In English, J.D. Vance, married with three children, uses the popular phrase in America, “. cat girl », a misnomer depicting women choosing to live without a partner or children, surrounded only by cats.
The Republican senator’s comments, known for his anti-abortion rights stances, sparked an outcry among supporters of Kamala Harris, whom he directly addressed.
Photo by Logan Cyrus, Agence France-Presse Archives
JD Vance, Republican Senator
The vice president, who almost pledged to be the Democratic nominee in November after Joe Biden’s withdrawal, is still raising her two stepchildren with her partner, Doug Emhoff.
If elected, Kamala Harris, the first vice president of the United States, will become the first woman of the world’s greatest power. The 59-year-old former black lawyer has been the subject of sexist and racist attacks over the years.
Many celebrities came to his defense, such as television host Whoopi Goldberg. Jennifer Aniston also responded: “I can’t believe this is coming from the potential Vice President of the United States.” “Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter will have children one day,” the former star wrote on Instagram. FriendsShe has opened up about her infertility issues in the past.
“Don’t talk about other people’s children”
“It would be funny if it weren’t so sad,” Minnesota Governor Tim Walls criticized on MSNBC. “They attack people with cats. Good luck! », mocked the elected Democrat.
Targeted by JD Vance in the video, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, now a father of two, responded that he and his partner had personal difficulties with the adoption.
Photo by Rod Lamkey, Associated Press Archives
Pete Buttigieg, United States Secretary of Transportation
“He couldn’t have known it, but that’s why we shouldn’t be talking about other people’s kids,” argued Kamala Harris’ potential running mate on CNN.
The latter found support from the biological mother of his two adopted children. “For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has co-parented with Doug and me,” Kerstin Emhoff told CNN. “I love our blended family and I’m glad she’s a part of it.”
Ella, 25, nicknamed “Momala” by Kamala Harris, defended her mother-in-law on Instagram: “How can you be ‘childless’ when you have beautiful children like Cole and I. I love all three of my parents.
“Too conservative too”
Some of Kamala Harris’ supporters point out that she won’t be subject to the same criticism. A few former presidents never had children. Starting with George Washington, the first president of the United States, he also raised his wife’s children from a previous marriage.
For Meghan McCain, the daughter of Republican senator and former presidential candidate John McCain, the now-deceased JT Vance’s comments touched “all kinds of women, even my very conservative friends who support Trump.”
Photo by Stephanie Reynolds, New York Times Archives
Meghan McCain is the daughter of Republican Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain
With support from some conservative Republicans, JD Vance went so far as to suggest that in 2021, according to the Washington Post, the votes of people with children should count more.
JD Vance’s campaign team assures that these comments are just “reflections” put on the table.
JT Vance’s views Abortion rights are one of the Democrats’ warhorses in the presidential race, where the women’s vote will be crucial.
