Weingarten Criticizes Vance’s Comments as Divisive and Lacking Empathy
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten criticized Senator JD Vance on Thursday after he reiterated disparaging remarks about teachers and modern families. In a recently resurfaced 2021 comment, Vance expressed discomfort with people who choose to teach but do not have children of their own. Weingarten is married to Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, and the couple has two children from Kleinbaum’s previous relationship, so she is not childless.
In the resurfaced audio, J.D. Vance said, “So many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal about this, but they’re people without kids trying to brainwash the minds of our children … Randi Weingarten … she doesn’t have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone.”
Weingarten responded forcefully, saying Vance’s comments show a lack of understanding and empathy. “It sure seems like Vance lacks an empathy gene—thank goodness he’s not a teacher,” Weingarten said. “He doesn’t get that you don’t have to be a parent to care about kids, our neighbors, our communities, and our country.”
Weingarten argued that Vance’s remarks contribute to a harmful political climate in schools, where educators strive to create safe, nurturing environments as the new school year begins. “Teachers want what children need,” she said, emphasizing that educators nationwide are focused on supporting students through various initiatives, including distributing 10 million books, implementing free meal programs, and establishing career pathways in fields like advanced manufacturing and healthcare.
Weingarten also noted that Vance should focus on supporting educators and students rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric. “Vance should devote his energy to helping educators and school staff support students. Instead, he is making it harder for teachers to teach and children to learn,” she said.
Weingarten concluded her statement by urging a focus on teachers’ positive efforts as the new school year begins rather than on what she described as Vance’s “gross, ridiculous comments.”
“Shame on JD Vance,” Weingarten said.
