Ohio Senator JD Vance has ignited fresh controversy with his recent remarks on abortion and family roles, drawing sharp criticism from various public figures and commentators.
Bizarre Views on Abortion
In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Vance addressed concerns about suburban women’s views on abortion. His response, which dismissed these concerns as focused solely on inflation and public safety, has been widely criticized. Vance’s claim that women are having abortions up to nine months into pregnancy was called out by “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski, who asserted that such late-term abortions are non-existent and described Vance’s remarks as misleading and insulting.
Misogynistic Views on Family Roles
Vance has also faced backlash over his views on family roles, particularly related to women. During a discussion about his family, he mentioned that his wife had a baby just before starting her clerkship and that her mother took a sabbatical to help care for the child. This comment, along with his agreement with a podcast host’s view that post-menopausal women’s primary role is to assist in raising children, has been criticized as objectifying and diminishing women’s value based on their reproductive capabilities.
Criticism from Public Figures
Tara Setmayer, a former GOP communications director, questioned Vance’s emotional distance from his family and his views on women’s roles. Journalist Jill Filipovic also criticized Vance for reducing women to their reproductive and childcare functions. Dr. Jack Brown, a specialist in emotional intelligence, described Vance’s comments as cold and objectifying.