JD Vance criticized for misusing 'Gangs of New York' film reference while defending crime rate remark

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: Senator JD Vance sparked controversy after defending his previous comments linking rising crime rates to Irish immigrants by referencing the 2002 film 'Gangs of New York.'

During a campaign address to the Milwaukee Police Association in Wisconsin on Friday, August 16, Donald Trump's running mate attempted to justify his 2021 remarks on immigration and crime.

JD Vance's reference of 'Gangs of New York'

JD Vance invoked the film 'Gangs of New York' to support his argument about the historical link between ethnic enclaves and crime in the United States.

"Has anybody seen the movie 'Gangs of New York?'" the Ohio senator asked the audience about the Martin Scorsese film.

"That is what I'm talking about; we know that when you have these ethnic enclaves in our country, it can lead to higher crime rates," he continued.

Vance's comments come after he made similar claims about the consequences of mass migration in the 19th century in a recently resurfaced Skype interview.

"You had this massive wave of Italian, Irish, and German immigration, and that had its problems, its consequence," he noted.

"You had higher crime rates, you had these ethnic enclaves, you had inter-ethnic conflict in the country where you really hadn't had that before," Vance claimed.

Critics push back JD Vance's 'Gangs of New York' reference

Washington Post analyst Philip Bump criticized JD Vance for misinterpreting the film's message.

Bump pointed out the irony in the senator's choice, noting the movie's most brutal character, Bill the Butcher, played by Daniel Day-Lewis.

The character was a nativist who violently opposed immigrants.

"The irony here being that the most brutal, vicious killer in that movie is the nativist who loathes immigrants," Bump said in response to Vance's remarks.

Bill the Butcher is depicted in the film as the leader of the Bowery Boys, a notorious gang that was part of the Know Nothing movement, a nativist group that vehemently opposed Irish immigrants.

The historical figure William Poole, on whom Bill the Butcher is based, was infamous for his violent actions against immigrants, particularly the Irish.

JD Vance's remarks raise questions about his historical accuracy

JD Vance's comments also raised questions about his understanding of the historical context he referenced.

National security attorney Bradley Moss asked, "Did you actually watch the movie?"

"Did Bill the Butcher strike you as a nonviolent person?" he responded to Vance's comment, according to Raw Story.

Adding voice to the criticism, Matthew Gertz, a senior fellow with the Media Matters watchdog group, said, "'Bill the Butcher was correct' is a very interesting take on that film."

Internet slams JD Vance's reference of 'Gangs of New York' to defend his claims

As JD Vance misused the reference of 2002 film 'Gangs of New York' to defend his comments linking rising crime rates to Irish immigrants, netizens mocked the Ohio senator's remarks.

One user on X wrote, "Can someone tell him that some movies are pretend. It’s not like we have history courses on the Avengers and the Battle of New York." Another tweeted, "And I bet he didn't even watch Gangs of New York."

"Ethnic enclaves? Is he serious? Higher crime rates in ethnic enclaves? Sounds like profiling. Not a good look in one who wishes to be the next vice president of the United States," a netizen opined. Someone remarked, "It’s absolutely incredible they’re still trotting this dude out there to speak. Is there a tip jar for their campaign for lighting it on fire?"

"It’s like he’s actually trying to be weird! Oh, wait…" a user commented. Another added, "He clearly hasn't watched it or understood it but we shouldn't be surprised. He's just so #Weird and dumb. Sheesh."

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