Vice President J.D. Vance has publicly apologized for his 2021 remark calling Democrats 'childless cat ladies,' calling it a 'boneheaded' comment in his new memoir, Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith. The remark, which resurfaced during his 2024 vice presidential campaign, was criticized as sexist by Kamala Harris's campaign. Vance acknowledged the comment was 'intentionally provocative' but admitted it failed to effectively convey his intended critique of Democrats' policies on family and child-rearing.
In the memoir, Vance also reflects on his conversion to Catholicism and his political evolution from a Never Trumper to Donald Trump's vice president. He attributes his shift to a belief in Trump's effectiveness as president, though he acknowledges skepticism from critics who view it as politically motivated. Vance's wife, Usha, discussed how the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk influenced their decision to have a fourth child. Kirk's widow, Erika, reportedly expressed regret over having only two children, which Usha Vance said deepened her husband's appreciation for family.
The memoir, released this week, serves as a sequel to Vance's 2016 bestseller, Hillbilly Elegy. It details his spiritual journey, political transformations, and personal reflections on faith, leadership, and family.