JD Vance Refuses to Apologize for Meme Mocking Kamala Harris, Turns the Tables on CNN Host
In a tense exchange on Friday, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) deftly navigated an attempt by CNN anchor John Berman to corner him into an apology after posting a meme that humorously criticized Vice President Kamala Harris. The meme, which Vance shared on social media, drew parallels between Harris’s recent interview and a notorious moment from a 2007 beauty pageant, where contestant Caitlin Upton struggled to answer a complex question on international politics, resulting in a viral “word salad” response.
The meme, captioned by Vance as “I have gotten a hold of the full Kamala Harris CNN interview,” quickly gained traction online. However, rather than focusing on the content of Harris’s interview, Berman chose to confront Vance about the potential harm his post could cause, referencing Upton’s past struggles. In a 2015 interview, Upton revealed that the public backlash from her viral clip had been so overwhelming that she contemplated suicide.
When asked if he was aware of Upton’s struggles before sharing the meme, Vance expressed empathy but refused to back down. “My heart goes out to [Upton], and I hope that she’s doing well,” Vance responded. He acknowledged that he’s had his own embarrassing moments on camera and stressed the importance of humor in politics. “I think the best way to deal with it is to laugh at ourselves, laugh at this stuff, and try to have some fun in politics. I posted a meme from 20 years ago, and I think the fact that we’re talking about that instead of the fact that American families can’t afford groceries or health care is the problem.”
Berman, however, wasn’t satisfied and pushed Vance to apologize to Upton directly. Vance, holding his ground, responded, “I’m not gonna apologize for posting a joke, but I wish the best for Caitlin. I hope she’s doing well. As I’ve said, one bad moment shouldn’t define anybody, and the best way to deal with this stuff is to laugh at ourselves.” With this firm stance, Berman was left with little choice but to shift the conversation to other topics.
The interview took place against the backdrop of growing concerns over Harris’s recent performance in a CNN interview with Dana Bash. Harris was widely criticized for her vague and sometimes contradictory responses, particularly on the topic of fracking, a critical issue for voters in key states like Pennsylvania. During the interview, Harris claimed that her position on fracking had remained unchanged since 2019, despite her previous support for a national ban on the practice.
CNN’s own fact-checker, Daniel Dale, pointed out discrepancies in Harris’s statements, noting that during a 2019 debate, she did not clearly communicate any shift in her stance on fracking. Bryan Lanza, a CNN analyst, further questioned Harris’s evasiveness on the issue, suggesting that her “San Francisco values” might be out of step with voters in states where fracking is a significant economic driver.
Vance’s refusal to apologize for his meme and his redirecting of the conversation to more pressing issues resonated with his supporters. By turning the tables on the CNN anchor, Vance highlighted a broader frustration among conservatives who feel that the media often focuses on trivial controversies at the expense of addressing the real challenges facing American families.