An old interview clip featuring JD Vance, the Republican politician chosen as former President Donald Trump's running mate for the 2024 presidential election, has resurfaced just after Simone Biles made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The clip, from a 2021 appearance on Fox News' *Outnumbered*, sees Vance criticising the media's response to Biles' withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns. He described the media's support for Biles during her "weakest moment" as "weird" and indicative of a "therapeutic society" that praises people for their weaknesses instead of their strength.
"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.
Biles, who has been open about her struggle with the "twisties" - a condition experienced by gymnasts where they lose control mid-air, making landing a move incredibly dangerous - pulled out of the women's all-around gymnastics competition in Tokyo to focus on her mental wellbeing. This decision was met with widespread support from the media and public.
Vance's comments, however, have sparked controversy, particularly in light of Biles' triumphant return to the Olympics, where she became the most decorated gymnast in American history after her team scored gold in the all-around finals.
This isn't the first time Vance's past comments have resurfaced since his selection as Trump's running mate. In 2021, he sparked outrage after describing Vice President Kamala Harris as a "childless cat lady" in an interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
"Look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children," Vance said. "How does it make any sense we've turned our country over to people who don't really have a direct stake in it?"
These comments have been widely condemned as misogynistic and out of touch.
Further adding to the controversy are resurfaced emails showing Vance privately describing Trump as a "demagogue," a "disaster," and a "morally reprehensible human being." This further throws into question his loyalty to the former president and his commitment to the Republican party.
Vance's past comments have raised questions about his suitability for a high-profile political role and highlight the increasingly fraught political climate in the US, where divisive rhetoric and personal attacks seem to be becoming more commonplace.