Tim Miller from The Bulwark recently called out J.D. Vance’s Sunday media circuit, labeling it one of the most disgraceful performances ever witnessed in U.S. politics. Over the course of three separate interviews—on CNN, NBC, and CBS—Vance perpetuated false, inflammatory narratives steeped in racism and immigrant fear-mongering. This was no off-the-cuff gaffe; it was, alarmingly, something much more calculated.
What J.D. Vance did wasn’t just political theater. It was straight-up dangerous. The Ohio senator openly admitted he’s willing to make up stories to support his agenda. And the story that took center stage this time? A vile claim that migrants are eating pets. Yes, you read that correctly.
Let’s break down how absurd and irresponsible this entire media tour was.
Vance’s Admission: He’s Willing to Lie
In one of the interviews, Vance admitted something that should send shockwaves through any democratic society. He stated openly that if he has to “create stories” in order to push attention toward his narrative, he will.
That type of confession should be political suicide, but in Vance’s case, he appeared brazen, seemingly not registering the gravity of what he’d said. If creating fictional tales about migrants helps paint them as villains, then, according to Vance, bring on the lies.
While accusing journalists of ignoring the suffering of American citizens, Vance also managed to expose his own weaponization of falsehoods. When Dana Bash of CNN pressed him further, his responses got even more unhinged. He didn’t try to backtrack; instead, he seemed resolved in his smug righteousness.
The Cat Meme Lie
One of the more bizarre moments of Vance’s media tour came when he referenced an obscure, now-debunked claim that migrants were grilling and eating cats. This was supposedly happening in his state of Ohio—specifically Springfield. Vance paraded this as some scandalous reality the media was hiding.
Only, that’s not true. There’s no factual basis for it. Vance was referring to a video, which only depicted a couple of chickens on a grill at a barbecue. No cats. No illegal activity. Just grilled chicken.
Yet Vance latched onto this conspiracy as proof that migrants were some sort of monstrous invader. He doubled down on this nonsense in every interview, running with this lie and demanding the media report on it as if it were legitimate.
Gaslighting the Press
Throughout these interviews, what was particularly galling was the way Vance treated the media when they pushed back. His entire tone was condescending and dismissive. Instead of addressing any of the real issues surrounding his rhetoric, he acted like a victim of the press.
He repeatedly told Dana Bash to “shut up” when she called out his inflammatory propaganda. That’s right—while spewing racist garbage, Vance had the audacity to demand his interviewer stay silent.
This wasn’t just bad optics. The thinly veiled sexism, paired with his smug attitude, made the interview even more grotesque. Telling a respected journalist to shut up because she’s holding you accountable? That’s not just unprofessional. It shows how unfit Vance is to serve in public office. And it raises a serious question: What happens to honest political discourse when a senator is willing to shout down simple truths?
Imaginary Victims
Every politician plays to their base. But Vance has taken this strategy into dangerous territory. Near the end of his interview with Bash, he asked why she wouldn’t bring on someone who could confirm these absurd claims about migrants eating pets. Vance essentially demanded she find someone who didn’t exist to verify a lie he had made up.
The whole thing reads like a twisted, ugly joke. JD Vance is asking for fictional “witnesses” to support his racist narratives. And when the press refuses to entertain his delusions? He cries foul.
This is classic demagoguery. It’s designed to whip up fear, keep the focus on an imaginary threat, and distract from any meaningful policy discussions.
Racism Takes Center Stage
At its core, JD Vance’s entire spectacle wasn’t about policy or governance. It was about racist fear-mongering, plain and simple. Throughout his interviews, Vance repeatedly used the term “illegals” to refer to Haitian migrants, despite the fact that many of these individuals have legal temporary protected status in the U.S.
It’s important to be clear here: Vance is making these baseless claims about people who are working, contributing to their communities, and doing exactly what he and other Republicans claim they value—working hard for a better life. Instead of acknowledging that, he’s smearing an entire group of people with vile, xenophobic rhetoric.
The Stakes of Vance’s Narrative
This isn’t just about JD Vance trying to win favor with an extremist wing of the Republican base. The stakes are so much higher. When politicians begin crafting fictional narratives about “the other,” painting immigrants as dangerous or subhuman, it has real-world consequences. It creates division. It fosters violence. It spreads hate.
And it all fits into a much larger pattern of GOP grievance politics. Vance, like many others, plays the role of the misunderstood everyman who’s unfairly attacked by the media. But in reality, he’s the one pulling the puppet strings—spreading lies, fanning the flames of division, and refusing to engage in any meaningful discussion of policy.
Conclusion
JD Vance’s media tour wasn’t just shameful. It was dangerous. By openly admitting he’s willing to fabricate stories to push his racist agenda, Vance showed us exactly what kind of politician he is. He’s playing a destructive, deceitful game—one that could have long-lasting impacts on the fabric of America.
This isn’t about honesty or integrity. It’s about fear-mongering, division, and lies. Vance has made it clear that the truth is secondary to his political ambition. It’s up to voters, the media, and responsible politicians to push back against this dangerous rhetoric, or we risk sliding deeper into an even uglier chapter of American politics.
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