Following his official appointment as Donald Trump’s Vice-President, clips of J.D. Vance’s views about women and gender roles have resurfaced. The footage dates back to a 2021 appearance on Tucker Carlson’s Fox show; in the interview, Vance remarks, “We are effectively run in the country, via the Democrats, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made.” He specifically targeted prominent Democrats such as Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Vance’s comments devaluing leaders without children are particularly relevant. As Kamala Harris rotates in to assume her role as the Democratic Presidential nominee, her supporters are quick to rally to the defense of the potential first woman POTUS. Jennifer Aniston, for instance, criticized Vance on Instagram, expressing disbelief. “I truly can’t believe this is coming from a potential VP of the United States,” she wrote, adding a personal touch by highlighting her own struggles with fertility and criticizing Vance’s far-right stance on reproductive rights.
Hillary Clinton also joined the chorus of critics, sharing the clip on social media with a sarcastic remark: “What a normal, relatable guy who certainly doesn’t hate women having freedoms.”
Vance’s controversial remarks are part of a broader ideological stance within the New Right, which challenges modern feminist principles and advocates for traditional gender roles. His opposition to abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, and his support for pro-natalist policies reflect a deep-seated belief in traditional family structures. Vance has also suggested that the sexual revolution has made divorce too easy, advocating for people to stay in marriages, even unhappy or violent ones, for the sake of their children.
This conservative pushback against modern feminism is not isolated to political figures alone. Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker, went viral for a commencement address that echoed similar sentiments. “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world,” Butker said. His speech, which included critiques of gender ideology and Pride Month, received mixed reactions from graduates and aggressive backlash online.
These instances reveal a broader trend within certain conservative circles to reclaim and promote traditional gender roles as a counter to what they see as the excesses of modern feminism; they also serve as high-profile activation mechanisms for women voters, a main demographic for Harris; both instances open a window onto the New Right’s post-liberal recession into hyper-traditionalism and elucidate just how radical the MAGA base has become.
