Vance Avoids Questions on Loomer’s Racist Remarks About Harris

Ohio Senator JD Vance, who was once linked to former President Donald Trump, recently sought to minimize the controversy surrounding far-right activist Laura Loomer’s racist remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

When asked about Loomer’s comments, Vance stated, “What Laura Loomer said is not what we should be focused on. We should be focusing on the policies and issues.” He further clarified, “So, yeah, do I agree about what Laura Loomer said about Kamala Harris? No, I don’t.”

Loomer, known for her history of making derogatory remarks and promoting conspiracy theories, faced significant backlash from both political parties following her recent statements. She suggested that a Harris presidency would lead to a White House that “will smell like curry” and claimed that its speeches would be conducted “via a call center.”

Furthermore, Vance appears to be downplaying Loomer’s controversial statements while highlighting his previous defense of unfounded rumors about Haitian immigrants. He reiterated that Loomer is not connected to the Trump campaign. “Laura Loomer is not affiliated with the Trump campaign. She said something about curry in the White House that I first read about this morning, actually, because I knew you would ask me about it,” Vance responded.

In an interesting twist, he added, “I make a mean chicken curry. I don’t think it’s insulting for anybody to talk about their dietary preferences or what they want to do in the White House.” His attempt at humor seemed to serve as an effort to deflect from the seriousness of Loomer’s comments.

When interrogated by moderator Kristen Welker about whether he and his Indian American wife, Usha, found Loomer’s comments offensive, Vance asserted he does not appreciate such comments. However, he shifted the focus back to issues he feels are more significant. “Kamala Harris is running for president, and whether you’re eating curry at your dinner table or fried chicken, things have gotten more expensive thanks to her policies,” he stated. “Let’s talk about the person running for the president of the United States, not a social media personality who supports Donald Trump.”

Vance’s response mirrors the approach taken by Trump himself earlier this week. The former president faced a wave of criticism from conservatives regarding his association with Loomer, leading him to distance himself from her remarks. This included feedback from other prominent conservative figures such as Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

Loomer’s controversial past was also highlighted, as she is known for propagating conspiracy theories, including claims that the events of 9/11 were an “inside job.” Her connection to Trump was underscored when she traveled with him to a 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero last Wednesday.

This ongoing situation illustrates the challenges faced by politicians like Vance when navigating the intricate landscape of far-right activism and its implications. As tensions rise within political circles, public figures are often assessed not just for their policies but also for their associations and responses to incendiary remarks made by individuals in the spotlight.

In conclusion, while Vance aimed to divert attention away from Loomer’s remarks, his comments reveal a complex interplay between political strategies and the growing influence of far-right voices in contemporary politics. This incident reflects broader societal concerns and the difficulty of maintaining a clear political stance amid escalating rhetoric.

Source: USA TODAY