“In the Irony of All Ironies,” J.D. Vance Calls Kamala Harris ‘Fake’
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Senator J.D. Vance launched a sharp critique against Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday, only to see it backfire almost immediately. The former running mate of Donald Trump took to X, accusing Harris of “flip-flopping” on her stance regarding border security in the lead-up to the November presidential election. However, his attack quickly drew a strong rebuke from within his own party.
“Kamala Harris is a fake,” Vance posted. “If she wants to build the border wall, she could start right now!” Vance’s comment was accompanied by a link to an Axios report that highlighted Harris’ recent support of a bipartisan border security bill. This bill, which had been blocked earlier in the year by Trump allies, was seen by some as a political threat to Trump’s re-election campaign. Vance pointed to Harris’ support for this legislation as evidence of her inconsistency on the issue.
As a senator from California, Harris had previously opposed a 2020 compromise that would have provided funding for Trump’s proposed border wall in exchange for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, according to Politico. However, at the Democratic National Convention last week, Harris vowed to revive a similar border security bill, which includes $650 million in funding for a border wall—significantly less than the $18 billion Trump had requested in 2018.
Vance’s portrayal of Harris as a “fake” failed to resonate with some Republicans, including former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), who shot back with a biting retort. “BREAKING,” Kinzinger replied, “In the irony of all ironies, @JDVance calls Kamala Harris ‘fake.'”
Vance himself has faced accusations of inconsistency, particularly regarding his support for Trump, whom he once referred to as “America’s Hitler.” Critics have also accused Vance of misrepresenting his background for political gain, leading one columnist to label him the “Hillbilly phony.” Political commentator Keith Olbermann added to the pile-on by mocking Vance with a jab referencing the Ohio senator and an unprintable nickname involving a futon.
Navy veteran and political commentator Jared Ryan Sears also weighed in, delivering a pointed rebuttal to Vance’s criticism. “The Vice President doesn’t have the authority to build a wall or to pay for it,” Sears wrote. “Someone running for the position should know that…Just because you want a dictatorship, doesn’t mean America is one.”
