A new report claims that Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway is the source of anonymous criticisms of the former President’s VP pick, JD Vance. Conway reportedly favored Floridian Senator Marco Rubio as Trump’s running mate and has responded to Vance’s selection by bad-mouthing him in the Republican Party and beyond.
The report was published by an online news site which said it interviewed GOP colleagues and other insiders, with several claiming that Conway is the driving force behind an internal smear campaign targeting Vance. Ms. Conway allegedly has a history of informing the press, the sources alleged, but Conway denied leaking anything about Vance, saying her accusers are jealous of her close relationship with Donald Trump.
Mr. Vance has faced numerous criticisms since the media put him under the spotlight as a potential Vice President of the United States. Journalists have rummaged online and found interviews and speeches, during which he expressed highly contentious views. Perhaps the most notable of these is the “childless cat lady” remarks he made during an interview with former Fox host Tucker Carlson. In that exchange, Vance said the Democratic party is led by people without children and who therefore have no stake in America’s future. He specifically named Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
In another revelation, Mr. Vance argued that those without children should not have the same voting rights as parents.
Many Republicans have questioned the wisdom of Mr. Trump’s choice, given the controversy surrounding Vance, but the former President insists he made the right decision. When questioned on his controversial remarks, Mr. Trump said the media had blown it all out of proportion and the truth was that Mr. Vance was simply devoted to the idea of family. “It’s very important to him,” Trump said.
Several senior Democrats have nevertheless mocked the former President and said he most likely regrets entrusting Vance with such responsibility. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, for instance, advised Trump to ditch the Ohio Senator before it’s too late. He said he can visualize Trump watching TV and thinking, “Why did I pick this guy?”
