NYT Columnist's Controversial JD Vance Remark Ignites Social Media Storm
New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie has ignited a firestorm of controversy with a shocking social media comment about Vice President JD Vance's family background. The award-winning journalist suggested he "can't imagine a parent who wouldn't sell little JD for Percocet" in reference to Vance's mother's well-documented opioid addiction.
Bouie's BlueSky Exchange Goes Viral
The inflammatory remark came during a heated exchange on the BlueSky platform, where Bouie was responding to a follower's criticism of Vance. The discussion originated from The Daily Mail's exclusive interview with the Vice President, during which Vance refused to apologize for amplifying claims that slain Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti was an "assassin."
Bouie initially described Vance as "a wicked man who knows he is being wicked and does it anyway." When a follower called Vance a "pompous p***k" and referenced his mother's addiction, Bouie escalated with the now-viral Percocet comparison.
Vance's Family History in Spotlight
The reference directly connects to Vance's bestselling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," which details his Appalachian upbringing and his mother Beverly's struggles with substance abuse. The memoir, later adapted into a Netflix film, launched Vance's political career by providing intimate insight into working-class American life.
Bouie further criticized Vance's demeanor during the Daily Mail interview, specifically targeting what he described as Vance's "smirk" and "ain't I a stinker grin." The columnist revealed that his comments had generated numerous racist threats against him, including one suggesting he should be "lynched."
Vance's Stance on Pretti Shooting
The controversy stems from Vance's response to questions about Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse shot ten times by federal agents during a Minneapolis protest. Vance had reposted White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller's characterization of Pretti as "an assassin" who "tried to murder federal agents."
When pressed by The Daily Mail about apologizing for endorsing these claims, Vance responded tersely: "For what?" He emphasized allowing investigations to proceed before drawing conclusions, stating: "I'm not going to prejudge these guys. I think that everybody is deserved the presumption of innocence in the American system of justice."
Investigation and Aftermath
Stephen Miller has since acknowledged his statement about Pretti was made hastily before all facts were available. The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether Pretti's civil rights were violated during the January 24 incident.
Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez, both assigned to Minneapolis as part of Trump's immigration operation, were responsible for the shooting. Vance declined to speculate about potential criminal investigations against the officers, instead focusing on Pretti's alleged "ill intent" at the protest.
Bouie's Continued Criticism
Following the initial exchange, Bouie continued mocking Vance on social media. When the Vice President was booed during the Milan Cortina Olympics Opening Ceremonies, Bouie wrote: "I sincerely hope that JD Vance gets this reaction every single place he goes."
The Daily Mail has reached out to both The New York Times and Vice President Vance's office for comment regarding Bouie's remarks. The incident highlights the increasingly personal nature of political discourse and raises questions about appropriate boundaries when discussing politicians' personal histories.
Vance, a Yale Law School graduate, maintained his position throughout the interview, arguing that investigations should determine whether officers had "reasonable fear" of Pretti to justify lethal force. He pledged the Trump administration remains committed to its immigration agenda despite the controversy surrounding Pretti's death.
