JD Vance’s ‘wife’s children’ comment sparks online backlash

JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, is facing criticism after referring to his children as his ‘wife’s kids’ in a recent interview. Many online have called the comment strange, outdated, and even a red flag.

In an October 2023 interview with The New York Times, Vance was asked about his wife, Usha, and her religious beliefs. While discussing their family life and church attendance, he made a remark that many found unusual.

“She’s got three kids. Obviously, I help with the kids, but because I’m kind of the one going to church, she feels more responsibility to keep the kids quiet in the church,” Vance said.

The way he phrased his statement—referring to their children as belonging to his wife rather than both of them—led to strong reactions on social media. Many people felt it reflected outdated gender roles and a dismissive attitude toward his parental responsibilities.

Online backlash and criticism

Social media users wasted no time voicing their concerns. Critics saw the comment as a sign of patriarchal thinking, implying that child-rearing is primarily a mother’s responsibility.

“Throughout this campaign, JD Vance has repeatedly referred to his children as belonging to his wife and implies it’s her responsibility to care for them. This patriarchal and anachronistic parenting model is exactly what he will try to force on America if elected,” one person wrote, according to The Huffington Post.

Another user expressed disbelief, writing:

“I’ve never heard a man refer to his kids as my wife’s children. That’s insane.”

Some saw the wording as a deeper reflection of his views on family and gender roles.

“He’s done this repeatedly – referred to his kids as ‘her kids,’ and it is so deeply weird and such a red flag,” another person commented.

A history of controversial statements

This isn’t the first time JD Vance has faced backlash over his views on family and parenting. During his 2021 Senate campaign, he made a controversial statement about Democrats being run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies,” implying that politicians without children have less of a stake in the country’s future.

At the time, Vance defended his comments, saying they were taken out of context. His wife, Usha, also backed him, stating that he was making a broader point about leadership and family values.

A misunderstanding or a deeper issue?

Supporters of Vance argue that his phrasing was simply a slip of the tongue and that critics are reading too much into it. Others believe that, given his past comments, the remark is part of a pattern that reflects his views on family dynamics.

Regardless of intent, the backlash highlights how closely public figures’ words are scrutinized—especially when they touch on deeply personal topics like family and gender roles.

What do you think? Was this an innocent mistake, or does it reveal something about JD Vance’s perspective on parenting? Let us know in the comments.