Jennifer Aniston has publicly condemned recent comments made by JD Vance, who is running as Donald Trump's vice-presidential candidate. Vance's remarks targeted influential figures in U.S. politics, labeling them as "childless cat ladies."
Aniston took to Instagram to express her disapproval, saying, "I truly cannot believe this is coming from a potential VP. All I can say is ... Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day."
Vance's comments, originally made in a 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson, have resurfaced and sparked significant backlash. During the interview, Vance claimed that the U.S. was being led by "a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too." He singled out Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, arguing that their lack of children meant they had no real stake in the country's future.
Aniston, who has been open about her struggles with fertility and failed attempts at aided conception, responded passionately. She added to her post that she hoped Vance's own daughter "will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her, too." Aniston's remarks highlight Vance's opposition to abortion and fertility treatments, a stance he has maintained throughout his political career.
Vance's comments have also drawn ire from other prominent figures. Speaking in Michigan last week, Harris emphasized Vance's track record on women's rights, pointing out his participation in blocking protections for IVF in the Senate. "Understand, this is a fellow who - in the United States Senate - participated in blocking protections for IVF," Harris said. "This is an individual who has made every indication that he is for a national abortion ban."
Jennifer Aniston has long been vocal about the pressures and speculations surrounding her personal life, particularly regarding her childbearing status. In a 2016 essay for the Huffington Post, Aniston wrote about enduring years of tabloid gossip and public scrutiny. She asserted, "We are complete with or without a mate, with or without a child. We get to decide for ourselves what is beautiful when it comes to our bodies. That decision is ours and ours alone."
In 2022, Aniston shared her experiences with Allure, revealing the challenges she faced with IVF and her regrets about not freezing her eggs. "All the years and years and years of speculation ... It was really hard," she said. "I was going through IVF, drinking Chinese teas, you name it. I was throwing everything at it." Despite these struggles, Aniston stated, "I would've given anything if someone had said to me, 'Freeze your eggs. Do yourself a favour.' You just don't think it. So here I am today. The ship has sailed."
Kamala Harris, who has been a target of Vance's comments, is a stepmother to her husband Doug Emhoff's children, Cole and Ella. The children's biological mother, Kerstin Emhoff, joined the chorus of voices condemning Vance's remarks. "These are baseless attacks," she stated. "For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I. She is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective and always present. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it."
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also responded to Vance's remarks. Buttigieg and his husband Chasten have two children. Addressing the comments, Buttigieg revealed that Vance's statements coincided with a difficult period in their adoption journey. "The really sad thing is he said that after Chasten and I had been through a fairly heartbreaking setback in our adoption journey," Buttigieg told CNN. "He couldn't have known that, but maybe that's why you shouldn't be talking about other people's children."
Vance's remarks have not only drawn criticism from political figures but have also stirred reactions from celebrities and the public. Taylor Swift, who has no children and is known for her love of cats, found herself indirectly referenced. British writer Caitlin Moran commented on X, formerly Twitter, saying, "It's bold, for someone seeking votes, to hone in on 'childless cat ladies' when the leader of Childless Cat Ladies is Taylor Swift."
Another user shared a Time magazine cover featuring Swift and one of her cats, writing: "Hell hath no fury like a certain childless cat lady who has yet to endorse a presidential candidate."
