Introducing former President Donald J. Trump at a town hall meeting in Michigan on Tuesday, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders extolled the virtues of humility in politics with a funny story: She once cried while watching her daughter get ready for a father-daughter dance, and her daughter told her, “It’s okay, Mommy, someday you can be pretty, too.”
“My children keep me humble,” Sanders said. Then, mispronouncing Vice President Kamala Harris’ name, she added: “Unfortunately, Kamala Harris has nothing that keeps her humble.”
The comment was widely interpreted as a reference to the fact that Ms. Harris has no biological children; she has two stepchildren. Coming from a campaign representative whose vice presidential nominee, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, was criticized for describing Democratic leaders as “childless pussy ladies,” Ms. Sanders’ remark quickly drew a bipartisan backlash, including from Bryan Lanza, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign.
Mr. Lanza told CNN that the remark was “really offensive” and that he was “disappointed in Sarah.”
Several groups close to the Democratic Party echoed the remark on social media, including the super PAC American Bridge 21st Century, Young Democrats of America and Republican Voters Against Trump. TV commentators also did the same.
“Wow,” Mika Brzezinski said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Wednesday. “What is their obsession with childless women or their biological connection?”
Sam Dubke, a spokesman for Ms Sanders, said her remarks about lack of humility were a reference to Ms Harris “pretending that she alone can solve America’s problems”.
Ms. Harris’ campaign had no comment.
Kerstin Emhoff, the ex-wife of Ms. Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, and the mother of Ms. Harris’ stepchildren, defended Ms. Harris.
“Cole and Ella inspire us to make the world a better place,” she said in a social media post, referring to her children. “I do that by telling stories. Kamala Harris has spent her entire career working for people, ALL families. It keeps you humble.”
Mr. Vance has previously drawn backlash over the issue of parenthood. In 2021, he said that parents “maybe should have more voice in our democratic republic than people who don’t have children,” a suggestion he later called a “thought experiment” and not serious.
He also said he does not denigrate childless women, while describing Democrats as “anti-family.”
Her remark about “childless cat ladies” has become something of a cultural phenomenon among Ms. Harris supporters. In a sign of its continued resonance, Taylor Swift used it to signify her support for Ms. Harris last week.
