J.D. Vance faced backlash on X (formerly Twitter) after using a 2007 Miss Teen USA clip to mock Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Vance, known for his social media presence, shared the clip of Caitlin Upton struggling in a pageant interview. He captioned it, “BREAKING: I have gotten ahold of the full Kamala Harris CNN interview.” Despite widespread criticism, Vance refused to apologize.
The clip resurfaced painful memories for Upton, who had previously suffered from the viral moment’s impact on her mental health. Vance later stated he wasn’t aware of the suffering but stood by his decision not to apologize, defending it as a joke.
Vance’s refusal to apologize has sparked debates over online bullying and political discourse. Some defend him, while others argue his actions perpetuate harmful behavior.
