Major Controversies Surrounding JD Vance: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around JD Vance—discover key moments of controversy.

J.D. Vance is an American politician, author, attorney, and Marine Corps veteran currently serving as the 50th Vice President of the United States since 2025. A Republican, he previously represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate from 2023 to 2025. As Vice President, he also holds the position of finance chair of the Republican National Committee.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2014: Vance's Communications Exposed

From 2014 to 2017, a former friend of JD Vance's from Yale Law School exposed to the media communications between them and Vance. The friend alleged that Vance has changed his opinion on issues in pursuit of political power and wealth.

2017: Vance's Communications Exposed

2019: ProPublica Investigation

According to a 2019 ProPublica investigation, the charity's accomplishment was tainted by ties among Satel, AEI, and Purdue Pharma.

2020: Vance's Podcast Interview Resurfaces

After backlash to the Fox News interview, additional comments that Vance had made in interviews about childless people resurfaced. In a 2020 podcast interview, he said that being childless makes people more sociopathic and ultimately our whole country a little bit less, less mentally stable.

2020: Vance on 2020 Election

In October 2024, JD Vance said he did not believe Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election and that he believed Big Tech rigged the election through censorship.

March 2021: Vance on Childless Teachers

In March 2021 interview on The Charlie Kirk Show that childless people should be taxed at a higher rate than those with children, adding that the U.S. should "reward the things that we think are good" and "punish the things that we think are bad".

2021: Vance's 2021 Fox News Interview Resurfaces

Shortly after being named Trump's running mate, JD Vance was criticized for saying in a 2021 Fox News interview that the country is effectively run by Democrats, corporate oligarchs, and miserable, childless cat ladies.

2022: Senate Campaign and Charity Accusations

During Vance's 2022 U.S. Senate campaign, Tim Ryan accused his charity of being a front for his political ambitions.

July 2023: Introduced Legislation Against Gender-Affirming Care

In July 2023, Vance and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced legislation that would have made gender-affirming care for minors a federal crime.

June 2024: Sponsored Dismantle DEI Act

In June 2024, Vance sponsored the Dismantle DEI Act, aiming to ban federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

July 26, 2024: Vance Clarifies Remarks on The Megyn Kelly Show

On July 26, 2024, JD Vance clarified his remarks from the 2021 Fox News interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, stating it wasn't a criticism of people who don't have children but about criticizing the Democratic Party for becoming anti-family and anti-child.

August 2024: Vance Interview on Vice President's Role

In August 2024, following criticism of his past remarks, JD Vance said that a vice president doesn't really matter and that Kamala Harris has been a bad vice president.

September 2024: Vance's Allegations of Immigrant Activity

In September 2024, JD Vance made allegations of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and causing chaos in Springfield, Ohio, with reports of pets being abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in the country.

September 2024: Vance Speaks at Town Hall Event

In late September 2024, JD Vance spoke at a western Pennsylvania town hall event organized by Lance Wallnau, who has promoted election denialism and called Kamala Harris a demon.

October 2024: Vance on 2020 Election

In October 2024, JD Vance said he did not believe Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election and that he believed Big Tech rigged the election through censorship.

2024: Zelenskyy Visit to Pennsylvania

After the February 28, 2025 meeting between Vance, Trump and Zelenskyy, Vance falsely said Zelenskyy went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October 2024; Zelenskyy had actually visited a factory to thank workers producing ammunition for Ukraine, though the timing of the visit and separately calling Vance "too radical" raised suspicion among Republicans.

February 2025: Vance on Executive Power

In February 2025, after multiple federal judges issued temporary rulings against various Trump administration actions, JD Vance wrote that judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power.

February 28, 2025: Vance and Trump Meet with Zelenskyy

On February 28, 2025, JD Vance and Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House's Oval Office in front of journalists in an internationally broadcast event. Vance answered a question about Trump's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and spoke about diplomacy.