Trump: Vice doesn't affect election
If Trump wins the U.S. presidential election in November, Vance will be his running mate. However, his potential colleague's past sexist comments are coming back to haunt him. When asked about the criticism, Trump defended his partner - but his words were far from flattering.
Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump half-heartedly defended his running mate J.D. Vance against criticism and downplayed his role in the campaign. When asked about Vance's controversial comments about childless people, Trump said at an appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago, "He's very family-oriented. But that doesn't mean there's something wrong with not having a family." When asked if Vance, who has little political experience, would be ready for the job from day one, Trump dodged the question and said, "Historically, the vice president has had no impact on the election."
Trump introduced Vance as his running mate at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in mid-July. However, Vance is now facing a barrage of past comments. The current peak: sexist remarks about childless people. The father of three had called leading Democratic politicians - including Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now running for the White House - "childless cat ladies" who were unhappy with their lives in a 2021 interview. The clip resurfaced after Vance's rise to Trump's running mate, spread rapidly, and drew much criticism.
It wasn't Vance's only remark in that direction. His stance that childless people should have less say in a democracy has been met with disapproval. Additionally, the Republican is struggling with poor poll numbers. The Democratic opposition is also attacking Vance for his lack of experience. The 39-year-old has only been in the Senate since January 2023 and has no government experience or long political history.
Trump said he chose Vance as his running mate because he had risen from difficult circumstances. "He's created an amazing life for himself," the former president said. "I respect people for their success."
Overall, Trump played down the role of the vice presidential candidate: there's only "two or three days" of excitement about who takes on the role, "and then it dies down, and it's all about the president's election." Historically, the selection of the vice president has made no difference in the election.
Despite Trump's defense, Vance's past comment about childless politicians being "childless cat ladies" in the United States has caused controversy. Trump, during his campaign, reiterated Vance's family-oriented nature while discussing his controversial views on childless individuals.
