JD Vance blasted as he jokes Dems would call drinking Mountain Dew 'racist' amid voter ID laws discussion
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MIDDLETOWN, OHIO: In his first solo rally since being named former President Donald Trump's running mate, Senator JD Vance made headlines with a controversial joke about Diet Mountain Dew, as per Business Insider.
Addressing voter ID laws, the Ohio Senator questioned the labeling of such laws as racist. "Well, they say it's racist to do anything. I had a Diet Mountain Dew yesterday and one today. I'm sure they're going to call that racist too," Vance stated.
Vance: I had a Diet Mountain Dew yesterday and one today. I'm sure they will call that racist. pic.twitter.com/z3ra8Y5F2f
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 22, 2024
JD Vance jokes Democrats would consider drinking Diet Mountain Dew 'racist'
The crowd at Middletown, Ohio, responded with laughter, and Vance joined in. This remark, however, has not been Vance's first instance of using humor to downplay racism.
During his 2022 Senate campaign, Vance released an ad where he asked viewers if they were racist and if they "hate Mexicans," presenting it in a deadpan style.
Vance's history with the issue of racism is complex. In his 2016 bestseller 'Hillbilly Elegy', Vance detailed personal struggles with racial prejudice within his family. "I've worried about racial prejudice in my own family and friends," he wrote.
He recounted how his cousin Gail faced severe backlash and familial estrangement when she announced her pregnancy with a Black child.
Promoting 'Hillbilly Elegy' in 2016, Vance addressed the racial motivations of Trump voters. "The Trump people are certainly more racist than the average white professional," he told POLITICO.
However, he warned against dismissing all Trump supporters as racists, suggesting it could exacerbate divisions. "Trump is tapping into some racially ugly attitudes, but also that he is leading people to racially ugly attitudes," Vance told Slate.
Vance also drew parallels between the experiences of white working-class individuals and Black communities, particularly highlighting the struggles of Appalachian "hillbillies".
He criticized the stereotype of the "welfare queen" often associated with Black mothers, asserting that he knew many White individuals who fit that description.
Vance criticized family members who exhibited racially insensitive behavior in his book. For instance, his father's reaction to Vance’s acceptance into Yale Law School involved questioning if Vance had "pretended to be Black or liberal" on his application.
JD Vance's remark over Diet Mountain Dew draws flak
After hearing about JD Vance's latest remark involving Democrats and Diet Mountain Dew, social media users brutally mocked him.
One user on X remarked, "Swaggerless. Zero juice. Loser energy," while another stated, "No, you’re racist, JD, and have vile taste in beverages. Is Diet Mountain Dew even potable? You sure you didn’t just chug a can of cleanser?"
No, you’re racist, JD, and have vile taste in beverages. Is Diet Mountain Dew even potable? You sure you didn’t just chug a can of cleanser? https://t.co/l2Gl7cWqdx
— Kera Bolonik (@KeraBolonik) July 22, 2024
One user wrote, "Pretty big risk imo to go with a guy who exudes this much weird energy from a podium." Another commented, "Trump picked a real loser. Serious cringe energy. Like watching a comic fail at open mic night."
pretty big risk imo to go with a guy who exudes this much weird energy from a podium https://t.co/DpUDaKy0Ns
— Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel) July 22, 2024
Trump picked a real loser. Serious cringe energy. Like watching a comic fail at open mic night https://t.co/rGeiehtrnP
— Joe Flood (@joeflood) July 22, 2024
One user criticized, "There is no way this guy was the absolute top choice." Another added, "He makes no sense and is the lamest VP pick possible."
There is no way this guy was the absolute top choice. https://t.co/TStX9DlVWE
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) July 22, 2024
He makes no sense and is the lamest VP pick possible. https://t.co/en0wmBofBq
— Mike Beliveau (@MichaelBel71372) July 22, 2024
One individual wrote, "This guy has as much rizz as a cockroach." Another added, "This dude has negative charisma."
This guy has as much rizz as a cockroach https://t.co/zkaINrBFut
— David Koresh's bastard Son (@AcabBaile) July 22, 2024
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