'Desperate. Disgusting. Dog Whistle': JD Vance's 'Childless Cat Ladies' Remark Draws Flak

Washington: Major controversy sparks after Vice President JD Vance's 2021 comments questioning Vice President Kamala Harris' leadership because she did not have biological children resurfaced.

The comments were initially made during an interview in 2021 when Vance was bidding for the Senate from Ohio said that "we are effectively run in this country via the Democrats," and referred to them as "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."

Vance said this including Harris, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

What Sparked the Controversy?

The video went viral again after Democratic leader Hillary Clinton in a post on X earlier this week took a swipe at Donald Trump's running mate saying, "What a normal, relatable guy who certainly doesn't hate women having freedoms."

In 2021, Vance also suggested an idea where parents would be allowed to cast votes on behalf of their children saying that people who don't have children don't have as much of an investment in the future of the country.

"Doesn't this mean that non-parents don't have as much of a voice as parents?" he said critics would then ask.

"Doesn't this mean that parents get a bigger say in how a democracy functions? Yes, absolutely," he continued.

'To Hear That is, Frankly, Disgusting': US Reacts to Vance's Remark

Following Vance's comment, the White House on Thursday described it as "disgusting."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at her daily news conference said, "I think it's desperate. I think it's disgusting and I think it's a dog whistle. We should not forget that she is the Vice President of the United States. She should get that respect. She's been doing this job with the president for almost four years."

Speaking further on the increasing sexist and racist attacks on Harris, she added, "She's a former Senator and has been a critical partner in getting the economy restarted and making sure that -- that we deal with the pandemic. And to hear that is, frankly, disgusting."

Meanwhile, Kerstin Emhoff, the ex-wife of Kamala Harris' husband defended her saying that Vance's remarks are "baseless."

Responding to a video, Kerstin said, "For over 10 years since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I."

"I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it."

Furthermore, criticism emerged from Hollywood actors as well. Megastar Jennifer Aniston said, "I truly can’t believe that this is coming from a potential VP of the United States."

"All I can say is… 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," she wrote. "

Because you are trying to take that away from her, too," added.

What's Next?

The recirculation of this video might be a sign of trouble appealing to women voters and on the issue of reproductive rights in the country following Harris' entry into the presidential race after President Joe Biden dropped out and endorsed her name for the Democratic Party.

The video also lays out some of the fears expressed by experts and strategists that might put Trump at a political risk for choosing a running mate who has been in the US Congress for less than two years.

This comes as one of the major questions that Republican VP candidate Vance is facing is on his abortion stance, where he previously said that he would support a national abortion ban at 15 weeks of pregnancy.

(Inputs from AP)