Jon Stewart joins Pete Buttigieg in criticizing Vance’s campaign debut as he calls it 'turd' of a launch

Pete Buttigieg joined Jon Stewart on 'The Daily Show' amid speculation that he could be a top contender for Kamala Harris' running mate
UPDATED JUL 31, 2024
Jon Stewart and Pete Buttigieg criticized JD Vance’s vice presidential campaign debut (The Daily Show/Getty images)
Jon Stewart and Pete Buttigieg criticized JD Vance’s vice presidential campaign debut (The Daily Show/Getty images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Jon Stewart, host of 'The Daily Show,' and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg criticized JD Vance’s early days as a vice presidential candidate. Stewart dismissed it as a “turd” of a launch, calling it a political debut unlike anything he had ever seen.

On Monday night, Buttigieg joined Stewart amid speculation that he might be a top contender for the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential slot alongside presumptive nominee Kamala Harris.

JD Vance faces backlash for controversial comments

During their discussion about the Harris campaign, Pete Buttigieg emphasized that focusing solely on Donald Trump might be unwise, particularly given the challenges and controversies surrounding Vance’s candidacy.

(Getty Images)
Pete Buttigieg emphasized that focusing solely on Donald Trump might be unwise, particularly given the challenges and controversies surrounding JD Vance’s candidacy (Getty Images)

Stewart didn’t hold back his criticism, saying, “Boy, did that dude launch a turd on launch,” in reference to Vance. “I’ve never seen anything like that. One day they were like, ‘heir to the MAGA fortune, Prince JD!’... and then he comes out and he’s like, ‘I hate cat ladies!’”

Vance has faced backlash due to resurfaced comments criticizing Americans without children. In a 2021 clip, he made derogatory remarks about “childless cat ladies” and criticized Democrats like Harris, Buttigieg, and Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for lacking a “physical” connection to the future of the nation.

CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 3:  Republican U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance arrives onstage after winning t
JD Vance has faced backlash due to resurfaced comments criticizing Americans without children (Getty images)

A significant issue with Vance's statements, which he has recently defended, is that Harris is a stepmother and Buttigieg and his partner became parents shortly after his remarks.

Pete Buttigieg and Stewart slam JD Vance's 'extra votes' proposal and criticize his insulting comments on childless Americans

On Monday, Pete Buttigieg addressed JD Vance's comments, highlighting that the vice presidential candidate had insulted many individuals and proposed problematic policy ideas, such as suggesting that parents should receive extra votes.

“It was rough. He’s just systematically insulted so many people, and it’s not just the kind of things he said, but also the policy ideas behind him. He has this idea that you should get extra votes if you have kids,” Buttigieg explained.

Stewart was taken aback by this notion. “Extra votes?!” he exclaimed. “Yeah, he suggested you should have extra votes if you’re a parent,” Buttigieg confirmed.

“Really?! You don’t even get that in your own house. I’m a parent! You don’t get anything!” Stewart added.



 

Buttigieg criticized Vance’s implication that non-parents are less invested in the future, pointing out his own service in Afghanistan before becoming a father.

“He doesn’t just say that being a parent gives you an important role as a citizen, which I agree with because then it gives you a unique perspective on the future; it’s that not being a parent makes you less,” Buttigieg said.

Stewart responded, “That framing is perfect because it does, it points to that idea that, who are you to tell what’s in someone else’s heart about what they feel about the future or what they feel about this country?” He further noted, “And the sacrifices you made, as you said, without having had children were tremendous, so it’s shocking.”

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