J.D. Vance is making women mad — again and again.
In a resurfaced 2021 interview with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, Vance asserted the country is being run “by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at [sic] their own lives, and the choices that they’ve made.” Vance also called out Vice President Kamala Harris during that appearance, adding that “the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children.” (For the record, Harris has two stepchildren.)
This is not the first time former President Donald Trump’s running mate has made controversial remarks. While talking at a Christian California high school last year, he condemned the country’s “sexual revolution of the 1960s” for destroying long-lasting marriages — saying people today “shift spouses like they change their underwear.” Vance also suggested partners should never divorce, and instead work through even toxic marriages. He pointed to his own grandparents as an example, describing them as a couple “who had an incredibly chaotic marriage in a lot of ways, but they never got divorced.” Sounds great.
But his latest statements against the childless have sparked significant pushback from women, including actress Jennifer Aniston and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. We’ve rounded up seven great reactions — ones that will make you laugh, and ones that will make you cry. Either way, it’s heartening to see how women are twisting Vance’s spitefulness into good will – and good fun.
Hillary Clinton's reaction to JD Vance's comments on X. (Credit: @HillaryClinton, X)
“What a normal, relatable guy who certainly doesn’t hate women having freedoms.” – Hillary Clinton
Clinton made her comment, dripping with sarcasm, while resharing the video on X. Clearly a lot of people agreed with the sentiment, as it garnered over 87,000 likes. Then again, Clinton made it known that she is no fan of Vance, when she publicly criticized Trump for picking him as his running mate – while also alluding to Trump’s involvement in the attempted coup on January 6, 2021, and the danger it put former Vice President Mike Pence in. “Can anyone remind me — why does Trump need a new VP pick in the first place?”
Jennifer Aniston reacting to JD Vance's remarks on her Instagram story. (Credit: Jennifer Aniston @jenniferaniston, Instagram)
“Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day. I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her, too.” – Jennifer Aniston
In her Instagram story, which reached more than 44 million followers, Aniston shared a pensive-yet-sharp statement about Vance’s remarks, adding in it that she “can’t believe this is coming from a potential VP of the United States.” In the post, Aniston — who is 55 and has no biological children — also calls out conservatives’ efforts to ban IVF in a broader sense. Aniston’s post is full of condemnation, yet it also invites Vance to reflect on how his words, and the actions of the Republican party, can affect the future world his daughter — who is now 2 — will grow up in.
“Childless Cat Ladies for Kamala”
You love to see it. In this case, “it” is women taking the words “childless cat ladies” and using them for their own empowerment. Following Vance’s comments, a creative online movement sprang forth, with some taking the liberty to customize shirts with humorously sarcastic phrases like “miserable childless cat lady,” “over-educated under-loved millennial,” and “deeply unlikeable woman,” among other such phrases. They are also using the phrase to encourage support for Harris, with products bearing phrases like “This Childless Cat Lady is Voting Kamala” and “Childless Cat Ladies Vote Blue in November.”
“There are people who have chosen not to have children for whatever reason. There are people who want to have children who cannot. How dare you?” – Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg expressed her frustration over Vance’s comments during a recent episode of ABC’s “The View,” calling out the Republican vice presidential pick for his insensitivity toward women. Goldberg also pointed out that, although his wife had children, he physically didn’t — and can’t. “You know nothing about this,” Goldberg noted while looking directly into the camera, as if talking directly to Vance in that moment. She also had a crucial message for women who might be watching: “You heard how he thinks of you,” she said.
Taylor Swift meme with cat. (Credit: X, @BetteMidler)
“Cat Ladies Stand Back and Stand By”
In addition to shirts and swag, women are also crafting and circulating memes featuring superstar singer Taylor Swift, who has been heralded by so-called Swifties as the supreme childless cat lady. As a multiple Grammy-winning, record-breaking, billionaire, Swift stands out to them as an example of the fact that “childless cat ladies” aren’t merely miserable, lonely women wishing they had a better life. In fact, they can very much be the exact opposite.
Either way, even Vance should know not to mess with the Swifties — because as those who spend copious amounts of time online can attest, they will come for you.
A post by Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign directed toward JD Vance on World IVF Day. (Credit: X, @KamalaHQ)
“Happy World IVF Day to Everyone Except JD Vance” – Kamala Harris Campaign
Harris herself clapped back at Vance with a press release that was equal parts class and wit. The campaign shared an image on World IVF Day, which celebrates the contributions and advancements doctors made in infertility and reproductive treatment while commemorating Louise Brown, the first baby conceived through IVF. To highlight this day, the Harris campaign sent a clear message to Vance, pointing out the ways in which his comments hurt couples struggling to conceive. The release also detailed Vance and Trump’s efforts to diminish women’s reproductive rights — which, the campaign added, are the reasons why “voters will make their stance clear by electing Kamala Harris this November.”
Ella Emhoff's Instagram story. (Credit: NBC News / Instagram, @ellaemhoff)
“How can you be 'childless' when you have cutie pie kids like Cole and I.” – Ella Emhoff, Harris’ stepdaughter
Harris’ family came to her defense after Vance’s remarks resurfaced. Emhoff, 25 — the daughter of Harris’ husband, Douglas Emhoff — pushed back on Vance’s claims of Harris being childless on her Instagram story with this cute note. Emhoff also reshared a statement made by her mother, Kerstin Emhoff, who told CNN that Vance’s comments were “baseless attacks” and described Harris as a “loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present” stepmother. In her Instagram story, Ella Emhoff made it clear that Harris is a great Momala to her and her brother, Cole Emhoff. “I love my three parents,” she said.
