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. He served as a U.S. Senator for Ohio (2023-2025) and is currently the 50th Vice President of the United States. A Republican, he also serves as the finance chair of the Republican National Committee. Vance's background includes military service and a career in law and writing before entering politics.

Sections (4)

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

2014: Exposure of Vance's communications

Starting in 2014, a former friend of Vance's from Yale Law School exposed to the media communications between them and Vance from 2014 to 2017, with the friend alleging that Vance has "changed [his] opinion on literally every imaginable issue that affects everyday Americans" in pursuit of "political power and wealth".

2017: Exposure of Vance's communications

Between 2014 and 2017, a former friend of Vance's from Yale Law School exposed to the media communications between them and Vance from 2014 to 2017, with the friend alleging that Vance has "changed [his] opinion on literally every imaginable issue that affects everyday Americans" in pursuit of "political power and wealth".

2019: ProPublica Investigation

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

2019: Our Ohio Renewal Foundation Funds

As of September 2024, the Our Ohio Renewal Foundation had not spent any funds since 2019.

2020: Vance questions 2020 election results

In October 2024, JD Vance publicly stated that he did not believe Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, alleging that "Big Tech rigged the election" through censorship.

2020: Podcast interview comments

In a 2020 podcast interview, Vance said that being childless "makes people more sociopathic and ultimately our whole country a little bit less, less mentally stable".

March 2021: Childless teachers comments

In March 2021, JD Vance suggested in an interview on The Charlie Kirk Show that childless people should be taxed at a higher rate than those with children, and in a speech at a Center for Christian Virtue leadership meeting, Vance said that childless teachers were "trying to brainwash the minds of our children".

2021: Controversial 'childless cat ladies' comment

In 2021, JD Vance made a controversial comment in a Fox News interview, saying the country was run by "childless cat ladies," sparking backlash after it resurfaced when he was named Trump's running mate.

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2022: Criticism of Charity

During Vance's 2022 U.S. Senate campaign, Tim Ryan criticized his charity, saying it was a front for political ambitions.

July 26, 2024: Vance clarifies 'childless cat ladies' remarks

On July 26, 2024, following criticism for a resurfaced 2021 Fox News interview, JD Vance clarified his remarks on The Megyn Kelly Show, stating it was not a criticism of people without children but about the Democratic Party becoming anti-family.

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August 2024: Vance interview comments

In August 2024, following criticism of his past remarks and political positions, JD Vance stated in an interview that a vice president "doesn't really matter" and that "Kamala Harris has been a bad vice president."

September 2024: Our Ohio Renewal Foundation Funds

As of September 2024, the Our Ohio Renewal Foundation had not spent any funds since 2019.

September 2024: Springfield allegations

In September 2024, JD Vance made allegations of "Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio and having abducted and eaten people's pets". These allegations were later discredited by Springfield authorities.

September 2024: Trump responds to Vance's statement

In September 2024, during his debate with Kamala Harris, Donald Trump responded to JD Vance's earlier statement about vetoing a national abortion ban by saying he hadn't discussed it with Vance, creating uncertainty about their stance.

September 2024: Vance speaks at town hall

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 questions 2020 election results

In October 2024, JD Vance publicly stated that he did not believe Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, alleging that "Big Tech rigged the election" through censorship.

2024: Zelenskyy visits Pennsylvania

In 2024, Zelenskyy visited a factory in Pennsylvania 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: Comments on executive power

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

February 28, 2025: Meeting with Zelenskyy

On February 28, 2025, JD Vance and Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House's Oval Office. Vance argued for diplomacy, leading to a hostile exchange when Zelenskyy questioned the approach.

2025: Cousin Criticizes JD's Stance on Ukraine

In 2025, Nate Vance criticized JD's stance on Ukraine, accusing him and Trump of aiding Russia and expressing disappointment that JD didn't consult him for insights on the war.