Michael Steele, the former chair of the Republican National Committee, weighed in on Ohio Senator JD Vance’s controversial comments about “childless cat ladies” on Saturday, suggesting that Vance might struggle with his own masculinity amid the criticism he’s been facing.
Vance came under fire for remarks made during a 2021 Fox News interview where he claimed the U.S. was being run by “childless cat ladies,” referencing people like Vice President Kamala Harris. These comments resurfaced as Vance became the running mate for Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, attracting renewed scrutiny.
In defense of Vance, Trump insisted in a Fox News interview that family values are important to him and that there’s nothing wrong with his perspective. Steele, co-hosting on MSNBC’s The Weekend, noted that Vance’s statements reflect a deeper issue among some Republican men regarding their masculinity, citing a tendency to project their insecurities onto others.
Steele remarked, “It’s fascinating how many Republican men appear to have issues with their own masculinity, projecting these feelings onto others.” He mentions others like Senator Josh Hawley as part of this trend.
Similarly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed concerns about Vance’s vision of family in a Zoom interview, emphasizing that different families should not be judged based on one standard. Steele echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of respecting diverse family structures.
Despite some dissatisfaction with Vance’s comments among Republicans, Trump’s campaign firmly supports him, dismissing any rumors of reconsideration regarding the VP pick. A representative stated, “President Trump is thrilled with the choice he made with Senator Vance, and they are the perfect team to take back the White House.”
As the political atmosphere evolves, all eyes are on Harris, who is expected to reveal her running mate soon.