Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders took a sharp jab at Vice President Kamala Harris, criticizing her for not having biological children during an introduction of Donald Trump at a town hall in Flint, Michigan on Tuesday, via Mediaite. Sanders’ comment came in the form of an anecdote about her own children, seemingly implying that Harris’ lack of biological kids was somehow connected to her character.
While reminiscing about a moment with her daughter, Sanders shared, “‘It’s okay, mommy, one day you can be pretty too,’” attributing the quip to her child. She continued, “So my kids keep me humble. Unfortunately, Kamala Harris doesn’t have anything keeping her humble”, told Daily Mail.
The remark was met with criticism, as it seemed to imply that Harris, as a stepmother to two children, lacks the humbling experience of biological motherhood. Sanders went on to suggest that Harris has failed to display humility despite being in a high-ranking leadership role for four years, adding, “You would think after four years of straight failure, she would know a little humility. Unfortunately, she doesn’t.”
Harris, who is married to Doug Emhoff and is a stepmother to his two children, has faced attacks from Republicans over her lack of biological children. This rhetoric isn’t new. In 2021, Ohio Senator JD Vance, now Trump’s vice presidential nominee, also took aim at Harris, calling her part of a group of “childless cat ladies” within the Democratic Party. He suggested that childless leaders are unhappy in their own lives and aim to spread that misery to the rest of the country.
Although Vance later claimed his comments were misunderstood, he has continued to target childless adults in his political rhetoric, claiming that their lack of children “makes people more sociopathic.” He has also sent fundraising emails with similar sentiments, referencing “radical childless leaders” and “childless Democrats who want to make the rest of the country miserable.”
Sanders herself has faced scrutiny regarding her stance on children’s issues. Last year, she signed a controversial bill that rolled back several child labor protections in Arkansas, including removing the requirement for work certificates for children under 16. The move was criticized as a blow to child labor safety standards.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders starts the Trump town hall by taking a shot at Kamala Harris for not having biological children.
— American Bridge 21st Century (@American_Bridge) September 17, 2024
“So, my kids keep me humble. Unfortunately, Kamala Harris doesn’t have anything keeping her humble.” pic.twitter.com/URV9FZBqhv