The comedian, 49, responded in an Instagram video to the Ohio senator and vice presidential candidate’s resurfaced remarks about people without children. In a 2021 interview on “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” Vance claimed, “we are effectively run in this country … by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made.”
“This country is still controlled by men in systems that were set up by men, designed to continue benefiting men,” Handler, who is child-free, addressed Vance. “So to put it in terms you’ll understand, you’re being hysterical.”
Handler criticized Vance for his 2021 comments about childless individuals. The former “Chelsea Lately” host also defended Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that her lack of biological children does not affect her fitness to serve as president. Harris shares two stepchildren with her husband, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff.
“Maybe if she had five kids with three different men and a scandalous affair with a porn star and was a convicted felon, that would be more acceptable to Republican men,” Handler said. “I mean, my God, are we tired.”
Handler added, “All of us childless cat and dog ladies are going to go from ‘childless and crushing it’ to ‘childless and crushing you’ in November.” In the video’s caption, she supported Harris, who launched her presidential campaign after President Joe Biden exited the race. “Childless Cat and Dog Ladies for Harris,” Handler wrote.
In the original Fox News segment from 2021, Vance said it doesn’t make sense that “we’ve turned our country over to people who don’t really have a direct stake in it,” referring to politicians without children.
Jennifer Aniston previously criticized Vance for these comments on her Instagram Stories.
“I truly can’t believe this is coming from a potential VP of the United States,” the “Friends” star said. “All I can say is … Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day. I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her, too.”
In an interview with Megyn Kelly on Friday, Vance called references to his daughter “disgusting” because she “is 2 years old.” He claimed his “childless cat ladies” remark was “sarcastic” but that the “substance” of what he said is “true.”
“This is not about criticizing people who, for various reasons, didn’t have kids,” Vance also told Kelly. “This is about criticizing the Democratic Party for becoming anti-family and anti-child.”
Whoopi Goldberg also criticized Vance’s comments on “The View,” saying, “Sir, there are people who have chosen not to have children for various reasons. There are people who want to have children who cannot. How dare you. You never had a baby. Your wife had a baby. But you never had a baby, so you know nothing about this. How dare you.”
Handler has frequently discussed her decision not to have children, including when she guest-hosted “The Daily Show” last year.
“Kids don’t respect me, and quite frankly, the feeling is mutual,” she joked. “And the fact is, there are millions of women just like me. But for some reason, every single one of us, at some point in our lives, is shamed by society for not wanting a baby.”
On “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Handler said that “so many women” have reached out to thank her for what she has said about not having kids. “You’re not worthy in this world when you become a mother or someone’s wife. You’re worthy before that.”
