JD Vance regrets childless cat ladies remark in new book Communion calling it dumbest comment
Vice President JD Vance publicly expressed regret over his controversial “childless cat ladies” comment in his newly released book titled “Communion.” The remark, originally made during his 2021 U.S. Senate campaign, has been described by Vance himself as “one of the dumbest things I ever said.” The statement targeted Democratic leaders without biological children and sparked immediate backlash that resurfaced during his vice presidential campaign. Vance acknowledged the comment failed to convey his intended message about American society’s approach to family values.
Original comment targeted Democratic leaders during Senate race
During a 2021 appearance on Tucker Carlson’s television program, Vance criticized Democratic leadership with pointed language. He stated the country was being run “by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made” and wanted to make others “miserable too.” The then-Senate candidate specifically named Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as examples. Vance questioned how it made sense to hand the country over to people without “a direct stake in it.” The comment ignored relevant family circumstances of those he mentioned.
Harris has two adult stepchildren from her marriage. Buttigieg and his husband Chasten were in the adoption process when Vance made the remark. In August 2021, Buttigieg announced on social media that he and Chasten had become parents through adoption. The following month, he welcomed Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg to their family. These facts contradicted the premise of Vance’s original criticism about Democratic leaders lacking family connections.
Vice president admits comment was boneheaded and provocative
In “Communion,” Vance directly addressed the controversy surrounding his statement. He wrote that the remark was “intentionally (and successfully) provocative rather than illuminating.” The vice president recognized the comment caused “two firestorms” – the first when he initially made it and the second years later during his political campaign. Vance described it as a “boneheaded comment” that failed to communicate his actual concerns effectively.
- Vance won election to the U.S. Senate in November 2022
- He took office in the Senate in early 2023
- Donald Trump selected Vance as running mate in 2024
- Vance became vice president in January 2025
- The controversial comment resurfaced during the vice presidential campaign
The vice president acknowledged in his book that the statement was “enraging” to many Americans. He noted the comment “had the added effect of distracting from the actual point I wanted to make, which was that our society is becoming pathologically hostile to having kids.” Vance admitted he could have made that argument “much more effectively, and with the benefit of showing a little charity” to Americans who don’t have children for various reasons, including circumstances beyond their control.
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Catholic faith influenced reflection on dignity of life
Vance, who practices Catholicism, connected his regret to religious principles in his reflection. He stated, “When I consider the Church’s admonition to respect the dignity of every life, this was a clear moment where I failed.” The acknowledgment represents a significant public admission from the vice president about the gap between his political rhetoric and his stated religious values. The statement in “Communion” marks one of Vance’s most extensive reflections on the controversy since it first emerged.
The political fallout from the original comment extended well beyond 2021. When Vance became Trump’s running mate in 2024, opponents resurfaced the “childless cat ladies” remark as evidence of extreme positions. Democratic campaigns used the statement in attack advertisements. Social media amplified criticism from Americans who found the comment offensive, particularly those struggling with infertility or who chose not to have children. The controversy became a defining moment of Vance’s vice presidential campaign that required repeated explanations.
Book addresses broader themes beyond controversial statement
While the “childless cat ladies” reflection has generated headlines, “Communion” covers broader themes related to family, faith, and American society. Vance has discussed in interviews how the book explores his Catholic conversion and views on community. The vice president previously revealed he maintains “sacred time” with his family for several hours daily despite his demanding political schedule. His wife Usha has spoken about how personal losses influenced their decision to have a fourth child, referencing the death of Charlie Kirk as a significant factor in their family planning.
The book’s release comes as Vance navigates his role as vice president while managing his public image following a contentious campaign. His willingness to label his own past statement as “dumb” represents an unusual political move in an era when many officials rarely admit mistakes. The reflection may signal an attempt to soften his image among voters who found his earlier rhetoric harsh. Political analysts note that acknowledging errors can humanize politicians, though some critics question whether the regret is genuine or strategic positioning for future campaigns.
