J.D. Vance faced backlash on X (formerly Twitter) after sharing a clip of former Miss Teen USA contestant Caitlin Upton from the 2007 pageant, where she struggled to answer a question. Vance used the clip to mock Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, but many criticized him for resurfacing a moment that deeply affected Upton’s mental health.,

The incident led to online bullying and even thoughts of suicide for Upton. Despite the backlash, Vance refused to apologize, stating he didn’t realize the impact on Upton but standing by his decision to post the joke. He argued that politics had become “too lame” and that it’s important to laugh at oneself. Upton responded, expressing her disappointment and emphasizing the need to end online bullying. Vance’s response has sparked debate, with some defending him as making a harmless joke, while others see it as perpetuating online cruelty.