In the shared voice clip, Vance can be heard stating, “And I think our conservative idea is that parents and families should determine what children learn, what values they are brought up with.You know, so many of the leaders of the left—and I hate to be so personal about this—there are people without kids trying to brainwash the minds of our children. And that really disorients me, and it really disturbs me.”
He specifically mentioned Randy Weingarten, the head of a powerful teachers’ union, claiming that if she wants to “brainwash and destroy the minds of children,” she should have her own and leave others alone.
However, the authenticity of the voice clip could not be verified.
This is not the first time Vance has found himself in the midst of controversy. He has, in the past, been at the receiving end of criticism after he referred to some Democrats and their allies as “childless cat ladies,” suggesting that their personal dissatisfaction drives them to spread misery.
Vance defended his remarks, emphasizing that he is “a real person” and that his comments were misinterpreted by Democrats. He attempted to provide context for his controversial joke, arguing that it was intended to highlight serious issues related to family dynamics and economic challenges in the United States. Vance stressed that the high costs of housing and groceries, along with what he perceives as an anti-family culture, are central to his policy agenda.
“I’m a real person. I’m going to make jokes, I’m going to say things sarcastically. And I think what’s important is that we focus on the policy.” He further added, “I think it’s most important to actually be the person I am, and to say those sarcastic comments were made in the service of a real substantive point. This country has become too anti-family. It’s too expensive to afford a house. It’s too expensive to afford groceries. Donald Trump and I want to change that. And unless we get better leadership, we’re not going to,” Vance had said.