JD Vance, Donald Trump's running mate, has faced renewed scrutiny after an old interview clip resurfaced, in which he criticised media coverage of Simone Biles' withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics.
Just days after Simone Biles made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the most decorated gymnast in American history, a 2021 interview with Vance on Fox News' *Outnumbered
has been circulating online. In the interview, Vance voiced his disapproval of the media's supportive response towards Biles' decision to withdraw from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns.
Vance stated that while he understood the immense pressure Biles was facing, he found it "weird" that the media portrayed her withdrawal as an act of heroism. He argued that society should celebrate moments of strength and heroism, not moments of weakness.
"Being an athlete at that level is incredibly tough. A normal response in this moment would be to say: 'It's just a shame that she's going through this. It's a shame that she quit.' But instead, what our press has done, I think, is turn this into this weird therapeutic moment. 'Let's praise her for doing this.' And I think that's really where the problem herein lies," Vance said in the interview.
Biles' withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics was a significant moment, as she openly discussed her struggles with the "twisties," a condition that causes gymnasts to lose control and awareness in mid-air. This condition poses a significant risk of injury, making Biles' decision to prioritise her mental health a commendable one.
Vance's comments regarding Biles have reignited criticism surrounding his past statements. Notably, he previously described Vice President Kamala Harris as a "childless cat lady" in a 2021 interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Vance argued that the future of the Democratic party was being controlled by childless individuals, implying that they lack the necessary life experience to lead the nation.
These remarks have been met with widespread outrage and condemnation, drawing attention to Vance's history of controversial statements. The resurfaced emails revealing his past criticisms of Donald Trump, calling him a "demagogue," "disaster," and "morally reprehensible human being," further raise questions about his political motivations and commitment to his chosen running mate.
As Vance and Trump seek to unite the Republican party and appeal to a diverse electorate, his past statements and contrasting views have come under intense scrutiny. The resurfaced interview regarding Simone Biles' withdrawal from the Olympics serves as another reminder of Vance's controversial past, potentially impacting his political standing and the public perception of his candidacy.