JD Vance under fire for slamming childless school teachers

In a resurfaced clip from October 2021, Republican figure JD Vance has drawn significant criticism for comments targeting childless individuals, particularly public school teachers. The remarks were made during a leadership forum hosted by the Center for Christian Virtue, an organisation known for its conservative Christian stance.

The forum, moderated by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt and the group’s president Aaron Baer, witnessed Vance addressing the issue of so-called left-leaning leaders in education. Vance pointedly criticised those without children, accusing them of trying to “brainwash the minds of our children”. His comments were especially directed at Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers. Weingarten, who is openly lesbian and a stepmother, has often been a focal point of conservative ire.

The 30-second clip was obtained by Heartland Signal and shared across social media platforms this week.

During his speech, Vance said, “So many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal about this, but they’re people without kids, trying to brainwash the minds of our children.” He continued his tirade against Weingarten, stating, “If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone.”

Weingarten is a well-known figure in education circles and a vocal advocate for teachers’ rights. Her position often places her at odds with conservative commentators. Previously, she faced scrutiny from Marjorie Taylor Greene during a House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee hearing on the Coronavirus Crisis. Greene’s remarks about Weingarten’s lack of biological children prompted congressman Robert Garcia to defend Weingarten, criticising Greene’s personal attacks.

Vance’s remarks stand in stark contrast to those of his political counterpart, Tim Walz. A former public school teacher himself, Walz has expressed strong support for the teaching community. In a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Walz praised public school teachers, earning significant applause. He highlighted his own experiences in education and his advocacy for inclusive initiatives, such as the gay-straight alliance at the school where he taught.

JD Vance’s comments have raised questions about his electability and public perception. According to a recent poll by FiveThirtyEight, Vance’s unfavourability ratings have risen steadily, now standing at nearly 44%. This represents a significant increase from earlier in the month and from his initial numbers upon being selected as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential candidate.