Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump expressed his support for his running mate, Senator JD Vance, on Monday, addressing the controversy surrounding Vance's past remarks about "childless cat ladies." These comments, which went viral and have posed a political challenge for their campaign, resurfaced shortly after Trump chose Vance as his vice-presidential nominee earlier this month. In 2021, Vance had criticized Vice-President Kamala Harris and other Democrats, labeling them as "a group of childless cat ladies who are unhappy with their own lives." This statement led to significant backlash and concerns from political strategists that it might alienate crucial voters in a tightly contested election, potentially swaying results in key states by a narrow margin.
Harris, who is expected to be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee for the November 5 election following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race, has two stepchildren with her husband, attorney Doug Emhoff. Emhoff's former spouse has defended Harris against these attacks, describing them as "unfounded" and praising Harris as a "loving, nurturing, and fiercely protective" co-parent.
During an interview on Fox News, Trump emphasized that he does not prioritize individuals with families over those without. "If you haven't met the right person, or any person at all, you're just as good, often even better, than someone in a family situation," Trump stated. He also highlighted Vance's upbringing in Ohio, where he was largely raised by his grandmother, to illustrate Vance's strong appreciation for family values. "He had a unique family background and genuinely believes in the importance of family. I don't see anything objectionable in that," Trump added.
Regarding the upcoming September 10 debate with Harris, Trump was non-committal during the Fox News interview. "I will likely participate in the debate, but I also have reasons to consider not doing it," he remarked.
