LOADINGERROR LOADING
JD Vance is refusing to apologize for attempting to mock Kamala Harris by posting an embarrassing clip of a teen beauty pageant contestant struggling to answer a question ― even after he learned the subject of the video once contemplated suicide.
On Thursday night, Donald Trump’s much-beleaguered running mate posted a video on social media Thursday that he “jokingly” claimed was the full Harris CNN interview.
Advertisem*nt
The video was from 2007 and showed Miss Teen USA contestant Caitlin Upton trying ― and failing ― to explain why some Americans supposedly can’t find the U.S. on a map.
Vance’s post was widely condemned, with many people noting that Upton struggled with public ridicule and later admitted that she contemplated suicide as a result of the whole experience.
However, the incident did attract the attention of Trump’s modeling agency, who later signed Upton to a contract.
During a CNN interview on Friday, anchor John Berman asked Vance if he was aware of Upton’s mental health struggles as a result of the video going viral.
Advertisem*nt
Vance admitted he had no clue and added, “My heart goes out to her, and I hope that she’s doing well.”
He then explained that he’s “said a lot of stupid things on camera” and “sometimes when you’re in the public eye, you make mistakes.”
He added that he thinks the best way to deal with it “is to laugh at ourselves, laugh at this stuff, and try to have some fun in politics.”
Vance then noted that while he posted “a meme from 20 years ago,” he thinks “the fact that we’re talking about that instead of the fact that American families can’t afford groceries or health care, young families can’t afford to buy a home to raise their families in. Those are the real crises that we should focus on.”
He then reiterated that he posted the video to make Americans laugh again.
“And there’s nothing that says that we can’t tell some jokes along the way while we deal with the very serious business of bringing back our public policy,” he said.
He continued:
“Politics has gotten way too lame, John, way too boring. You can have some fun while making a good argument to the American people about how you’re going to improve their lives.”
Berman asked Vance if he’d like to apologize “given what you’ve now learned.”
Vance refused, saying, “John, I’m not going to apologize for posting a joke, but I wish the best for Caitlin.”
You can see the whole exchange below.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 30, 2024BERMAN: Last night you posted a clip from Ms Teen US 2007 -- Caitlin Upton. When you posted that, were you aware she thought about committing suicide for the attention that received?
JD VANCE: No, certainly not.
B: Would you like to apologize?
V: I'm not going to apologize pic.twitter.com/tn7FYTS3v4
Upton responded to Vance resurfacing the video on Friday morning with a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“It’s a shame that 17 years later this is still being brought up. There’s not too much else to say about it at this point. Regardless of political beliefs, one thing I do know is that social media and online bullying needs to stop,” she said.
— CAITE UPTON (@CaiteUpton) August 30, 2024It’s a shame that 17 years later this is still being brought up. There’s not too much else to say about it at this point. Regardless of political beliefs, one thing I do know is that social media and online bullying needs to stop.
HAVE A BEAUTIFUL AND SAFE LABOR DAY WEEKEND! 🤗
Advertisem*nt
Other people weren’t impressed by Vance’s refusal to apologize or his whole CNN interview at all.
And, yes, they had thoughts.
Wow! JD Vance refused to apologize to Caitlin Upton. Easiest thing to do. But no. The arrogance! The smugness! The lack of empathy! Totally on brand for Vance, which is why most Americans dislike him. He finds new ways to disgust me every single day. He never disappoints. pic.twitter.com/OsuEM1WDjw
— Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) August 30, 2024
Trump and JD Vance’s theory of MAGA is that shameless depravity is a virtue. They think this is what the base wants to see. They think very little of their voters. If the base believes they’re better than this, then they should stop rewarding this behavior with their votes. https://t.co/5kTEVp0eGQ
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) August 30, 2024
You've heard of doubling down. Well, JD is waaaay beyond doubling down. He is taking alienating women, and frankly human beings, to an exponential level. This guy is a monster. He's an asset to Kamala's campaign, but other than that he's a real POS.
— Geoff #HarrisWalz2024 (@GeoffBrown82) August 30, 2024
Anyone who considers making fun of a woman who was considering suicide is NOT fit for office. pic.twitter.com/OAFyS8EPE1
— 🪴Laurie (@Laurieluvsmolly) August 30, 2024
Dude is a f*cking sociopath. He's sitting there smirking the whole time.
— Ragnarok Lobster 🐺 (@eclecticbrotha) August 30, 2024
Advertisem*nt
Yeah, laughing at ourselves and having fun, that’s the way to govern a nation of 335 million citizens with global responsibilities.
— 𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖_𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 (@SundaeDivine) August 30, 2024
“It was a joke! Not apologizing. Politics is lame.”
— 🪄✨Lisa #KamalaHarris2024 (@lisareynaloe) August 30, 2024
Translation: Women are beneath me, have I not made that crystal clear? I will never apologize for the misogynistic cruelty I’ve repeatedly inflicted. Politics is lame without cruelty at the expense of women.
Vance is NOT SORRY for comparing Harris to a MAGA beauty pageant winner who was driven to suicidal thoughts because of the negative attention she got for her answer.
— Andy Cohen ☮️ (@AC_Californian) August 30, 2024
Who wants a Vice President who will likely be running the government if elected, who is this horrible to women?
— BgMac #VoteBlueNoMatterWho 2024 (@bgmacneill) August 30, 2024What a dolt
What a misogynistic wierdo
At least apologize for wearing the wrong color eye shadeHe is a creeper
There is no decency left anymore. Once you join team Trump you leave all morals behind.
— Denison Barb (@DenisonBarbs) August 30, 2024
Advertisem*nt
