J.D. Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate running alongside Donald Trump, has had a notably rocky start to his campaign. Unlike most vice-presidential picks, who typically enjoy a boost in popularity following their nomination, Vance has seen his approval ratings plummet. This unusual and unfavorable reception has been compounded by the resurgence of controversial comments he has made in the past, leading to widespread criticism. However, Vance is placing the blame for his troubles squarely on the media, claiming that he is being unfairly targeted.
Vance’s selection as Trump’s running mate surprised many within the Republican Party. Despite his relatively low profile on the national stage, Vance quickly became a key figure in the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement after his election to the Senate in Ohio. His selection was seen as a nod to Trump’s base, given Vance’s staunchly conservative views and his close alignment with the former president’s agenda. However, instead of the expected bump in approval, Vance’s numbers have decreased by six points, signaling significant discontent among voters.
One of the main reasons for Vance’s poor reception has been the media’s extensive coverage of his past statements, many of which have been characterized as deeply offensive and out of touch. In a recent interview with NBC News, Vance acknowledged that his campaign had gotten off to a rough start but was quick to blame the media for his troubles. “I knew that when I came out of the gate there was going to be a couple of days of positive media coverage, and then immediately they would go and attack me over everything that I had ever said in my life,” Vance remarked, suggesting that the media had unfairly focused on his past rather than his vision for the future.
One of the most controversial topics that have resurfaced is Vance’s disdain for childless adults, particularly women. In a 2021 interview with The Federalist, Vance expressed his belief that adults who choose not to have children or who prioritize their careers are contributing to a societal decline. He claimed that “we have to go to war against” the ideologies that lead people to make such choices, adding that individuals who invest their lives in careers rather than family are likely to end up “sad, lonely, pathetic.”
These comments have sparked outrage, particularly among women’s rights advocates who see Vance’s rhetoric as an attack on women’s autonomy and their right to choose their own life paths. Vance has doubled down on these statements, refusing to apologize and instead attempting to reframe his remarks as criticisms of what he describes as a “neurosis in American leadership” that discourages family life. He has also made inflammatory comments about “childless cat ladies,” suggesting that people without children should have less political power than those with families. This rhetoric has only deepened the divide between Vance and potential voters who find his views regressive and discriminatory.
Vance’s stance on abortion and reproductive rights has also come under scrutiny. He has been a vocal supporter of a nationwide abortion ban and has argued that states should be allowed to restrict their residents from traveling to other states to obtain an abortion if it is illegal in their home state. This extreme position has alienated many voters, particularly women, and has been a focal point of the criticism leveled against him since his nomination.
In response to the backlash, Vance has consistently blamed the media for what he perceives as a smear campaign. He argues that the media is twisting his words and taking his statements out of context to paint him as an extremist. Trump, ever the defender of his allies, has echoed Vance’s sentiments, arguing that the media is unfairly targeting his running mate. During a recent interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago, Trump stated, “My interpretation is he’s strongly family-oriented. But that doesn’t mean that if you don’t have a family, there’s something wrong with that.”
However, Trump’s defense has done little to quell the growing concerns within the Republican Party about Vance’s viability as a candidate. Conservative commentators, GOP strategists, and elected officials have privately and publicly expressed doubts about Vance’s ability to appeal to a broad electorate. Some have even suggested that Vance’s controversial statements could become a significant liability for Trump’s campaign, especially as the presidential race against Kamala Harris heats up.
The response from voters has been mixed. While some, particularly within Trump’s base, have dismissed the criticism of Vance as a media-fueled witch hunt, others are less convinced. Many voters, even those who support Trump, have expressed discomfort with Vance’s views, particularly his suggestion that parents should have more voting power than childless adults. At a rally in Pennsylvania, one attendee remarked, “Trump should stick with the people he’s picked,” but added that he disagreed with Vance’s previous comments about childless adults.
The situation has led to speculation about whether Vance might be replaced as Trump’s running mate, a rare but not unprecedented move in U.S. political history. While some believe that Trump will ultimately stick with Vance, others argue that the continued negative press could force a change. GOP pollster Neil Newhouse described the situation as “a short-term bump in the road,” but also acknowledged that things could get worse if Vance doesn’t find a way to recover from his rough start.
As one political analyst put it, “Vance’s start has been anything but smooth, and his past comments are haunting him at every turn. If he and Trump can’t find a way to turn things around, this could be one of the most turbulent vice-presidential campaigns in recent history.”
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