Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance has come under fire from some of the most vocal fans online this week after he said some Taylor Swift fans “need to calm down” after a video resurfaced in which he slammed childless women who own cats.
“Nobody gets more angry than a childless, cat-loving woman who hasn't endorsed a candidate for president yet,” one X user wrote in response to earlier comments from Vance that went viral following the emergence of his rival in the 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris.
The recovered footage, shared Monday by the editor-in-chief of MeidasTouch Network, shows Vance appearing on Fox News' “Tucker Carlson Tonight” in 2021, criticizing several Democrats as “childless cat ladies” and saying that people without children don't have a “direct stake” in America's future. Vance made the television appearance while running for and ultimately winning election to the Senate in Ohio.
Video Details:Internet warns J.D. Vance after video resurfaces suggesting Kamala Harris is a childfree cat woman
The video had been viewed more than 25 million times on X as of Wednesday, with Vance's “The “childless cat lady” commented, Not just for Swiftie fans, but for everyone else too.
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Swift, who endorsed current President Joe Biden and Ms Harris in 2020, has yet to endorse anyone in the 2024 presidential race.
Vance's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA Today.
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“Armageddon is upon him.”
“If you found out Taylor Swift doesn't have kids and has cats… that would be the end for him,” one X user posted on Tuesday night.
Another user wrote: “Vance attacked a childless woman who loves cats. Taylor Swift would love a word with him. Unleash the kraken. *meow*.”
One fan suggested that people should “just give Swift's comments back to him” if they support Harris, while another encouraged people to promote Swift-inspired “Democratic fundraising merch.”
Here and Meow:Why it's cool to be a cat lover now (just ask Taylor Swift)
Time Magazine's Person of the Year Photoshoot: “Can I bring my cat?”
Internet users drew a connection between Vance's comments and Swift, as she has three cats and proudly posts about them on social media.
Swift, 34, is unmarried and has no children.
Swift, who is considered one of the most famous people on the planet, is currently dating Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. The pop superstar and NFL player went public with their relationship in October 2023.
Earlier this year, Time magazine highlighted Swift's pride in owning cats, They chose her as their person of the year..
Her only request for the 2024 photoshoot: “Can I bring my cat?”
USA TODAY reached out to Swift's team.
More celeb reactions to Vance's 2021 comments:Jennifer Aniston hits back at JD Vance's criticism of her as a 'childless, cat-loving woman'
Contributor: Kinzie Crowley, USA Today
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.
