Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance appeared on NBC's Meet the Press to address controversial comments he made in 2021 about "childless cat ladies."
As reported by Vanity Fair, Vance's appearance on the show was part of an ongoing effort to explain his past remarks rather than issue an apology. During the interview with host Kristen Welker, Vance attempted to reframe his previous statement, insisting his intention was to advocate for more options for women.
In the summer of 2021, then-Senate candidate Vance told Tucker Carlson that he believed the United States was run by "childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made."
When asked about these comments on Meet the Press, Vance stated that in his conversations with women, he consistently hears that "a lot of young women feel like they don't have options." He added, "I just want women to have more choices."
Vance's comments touched on the difficulties faced by working mothers in the United States. According to statistics, approximately 24 million working mothers with children under 18 struggle to balance their careers and family responsibilities. These women often earn less than their male counterparts and typically shoulder a greater share of childcare and household duties.
The Ohio senator has previously made controversial statements regarding women's choices. In one instance, he suggested that women should remain in violent marriages for the sake of their children. These comments have drawn criticism from various quarters and have become a point of contention in his political career.
During the Meet the Press interview, host Kristen Welker provided Vance with multiple opportunities to apologize for his "childless cat ladies" remark. However, Vance consistently avoided offering a direct apology. When asked if he regretted making the comment, Vance responded:
Look, I regret, certainly, that a lot of people took it the wrong way. I think it's important for me to just be a normal human being who sometimes says things that people disagree...
When Welker interjected to ask if he had any regrets, Vance replied with a smile, "I have a lot of regrets, Kristen, but making a joke three years ago is not in the top ten list."
Vance's comments on women's choices extend to his views on abortion rights. In 2023, when Ohio voters chose to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, Vance expressed strong opposition. He posted a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), describing the pro-choice movement as "sociopathic" for encouraging young women and men to "murder their own children."
During his recent Meet the Press appearance, Vance claimed that his running mate, former President Donald Trump, would not sign a federal abortion ban if elected. This statement contradicts Trump's previous support for such legislation during his time in office.
Vance has consistently advocated for restrictions on abortion access. In 2021, when Texas passed a near-total abortion ban, Vance framed the issue not as a matter of forcing women to carry pregnancies to term but rather as a question of whether a fetus should be allowed to live despite potentially inconvenient circumstances.
In a podcast appearance at the time, Vance elaborated on his stance:
We want women to have opportunities, we want women to have choices, but above all, we want women and young boys in the womb to have the right to life.
In conclusion, JD Vance's recent appearance on Meet the Press highlighted his ongoing efforts to explain and contextualize his past controversial remarks about women. While claiming to support more choices for women, Vance has consistently advocated for policies that would restrict reproductive rights. His reluctance to apologize for his "childless cat ladies" comment, coupled with his stance on abortion, continues to generate debate and criticism from those who view his positions as contradictory to his stated goal of expanding women's options.
