"Donald Trump Jr. is not helping."
That's the analysis from Jennifer Bendery, senior political reporter for the Huffington Post, on Trump Jr.'s attempts to defend his father's running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, from critics of his rhetoric equating childlessness with sociopathy.
"On the one hand, DJT Jr. is out here saying Vance is '100% right' that people who prioritize education and having careers over making babies are 'sad, lonely & pathetic,'" Bendery wrote on X Wednesday. "On other hand, Vance also said, 'We have to go to war against that ideology *and the people behind it.*'"
Bendery focused her laser gaze on a public statement from former President Donald Trump's eldest son on an attack from Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign.
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Earlier in the day, Harris' campaign posted video of Vance saying on a political podcast, "I think we have to go to war against the anti-child ideology."
Vance also details his own sister's regrets that she had children before pursuing higher education and his response, that she shouldn't worry because her kids were happy and healthy.
"Vance says he and Trump will 'go to war against' childless people, who he calls 'sad, lonely, and pathetic,'" Harris' campaign wrote. "'They should feel like their life is inadequate.'"
Trump Jr. accused the Harris campaign of a falsehood.
"They're lying," wrote Trump Jr. "Here's what JD actually said & he's 100% right! He said people who base their life's meaning only on work/education are "sad, lonely & pathetic." He said we need to "go to war against the anti-child IDEOLOGY in our country," not childless adults."
His post was met with scorn from followers who noted he attached the video clip to his post.
"You know we can just listen to it, right?" wrote John Collins.
"What he said is terrible, no matter which way you put it," replied Democratic strategist Ally Sammarco.
Bendery argued Trump Jr. — who reportedly pressured his father as his running mate a politician Sen. Chuck Schumer has suggested he now wants to ditch — was not helping the situation by platforming Vance's comment.
"Vance's condemnation of women who decide to prioritize education and careers over making babies is a new wrinkle in this whole "childless cat ladies" nonsense," she wrote. Bendery added, "Jr. is not helping his dad's campaign here."
