Vance calls socialism hard to define, then ties it to foreign workers and boys in girls' sports
At a White House press conference on visa fraud, Vice President JD Vance said socialism is hard to define, then described it in the American context as replacing American workers with foreign workers and wanting boys in girls' sports. Critics online rejected the definition.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 1Vice President JD Vance told reporters at the White House on Thursday 8 October that socialism is "a hard term to define these days." Washington ExaminerR “Vance told reporters at the White House on Thursday that socialism is “a hard term to define these days.”” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Right · 1He said socialism was once "about prioritizing workers", and that most self-described socialists running in the US would object to the day's announcement, which he said prioritised American workers over foreign workers. Washington ExaminerR “In the past, he said, socialism has been “about prioritizing workers.”” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Right · 1He made the remarks at a press conference for the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, where he announced a crackdown on Microsoft and nine universities over alleged H-1B visa fraud. Washington ExaminerR “Vance made the comments during a press conference for the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.”“announcing that the Trump administration was cracking down on Microsoft and nine universities amid allegations of visa fraud.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Mixed · 2Later he said that in the American context socialism means "you want to replace American workers with foreign workers, and you want boys to play in girls' sports." Washington ExaminerR “what socialism “actually means, in the American context, is that you want to replace American workers with foreign workers, and you want boys to play in girls’ sports.”” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Raw StoryL “you want to replace American workers with foreign workers, and you want boys to play in girls' sports," said Vance.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Right · 1Vance also noted that Bernie Sanders, in 2016, gave an answer on open borders that he said sounded like Stephen Miller's, and said it was ironic that self-described socialists favour replacing American workers, which he said suggests it is "not about the working class." Washington ExaminerR “It is ironic that so many of the self-described socialists running across this country, they love the idea of replacing American workers with foreign workers” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Right · 1The Washington Examiner said Vance and President Donald Trump are using the rise of socialism as a line of attack on Democrats ahead of the 3 November midterm elections. Washington ExaminerR “as he and President Donald Trump use the ideology’s rise as a cudgel against Democrats before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Left · 1Raw Story said socialism is a set of economic theories advocating worker control, or state control on workers' behalf, of the means of production. Raw StoryL “socialism is a set of economic theories that advocate for worker control of the means of production, or state control of the means of production on behalf of workers.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 1It reported that Vance's definition was widely criticised on social media, including by Mehdi Hasan, Democratic strategist Mike Nellis and Meidas Touch's Ron Filipkowski. Raw StoryL “Vance's attempt to redefine the word got broadly panned by commenters on social media.”“"THIS IS NOT THE DEFINITION OF SOCIALISM," wrote Zeteo News founder Mehdi Hasan.” Read at Raw Story ↗ Left · 1Scott Lincicome of the libertarian Cato Institute said that an accurate definition would arguably cover the 35 government ownership stakes the Trump administration has taken in the last 16 months. Raw StoryL “it would arguably apply to the 35 government ownership stakes the Trump administration has taken in the last 16 months," wrote Scott Lincicome” Read at Raw Story ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Presents Vance's answer as a gaffe that backfired, led by social media ridicule and a dictionary-style correction.
- Emphasis
- Critics' reactions and the contrast with the textbook definition; the quote on foreign workers and boys in girls' sports.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits Vance's opening admission that the term is hard to define, the visa-fraud press conference context and his Sanders comparison.
- Charged language
- “roasted”“instantly backfires”“Nothing means anything”
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Reports Vance's remarks fairly straight, in the context of the visa-fraud announcement and the midterm campaign.
- Emphasis
- Vance's full remarks, including the Sanders comparison and the H-1B fraud crackdown.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include criticism of Vance's definition or an outside definition of socialism.
- Charged language
- “cudgel”
- For example
-
“Vice President JD Vance was pressed on his definition of socialism as he and President Donald Trump use the ideology’s rise as a cudgel against Democrats” — Washington Examiner
What every side reports
- Vance said on Thursday that in the American context socialism means wanting to replace American workers with foreign workers and wanting boys to play in girls' sports.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Vance's definition is a valid description of socialism
- Left
- Raw Story says it departs from the actual definition (worker or state control of the means of production) and was widely panned.
- Right
- The Washington Examiner reports Vance's definition and his argument without assessing its accuracy.
JD Vance person
Says socialism is hard to define now, and argues self-described socialists favour replacing American workers with foreign ones and boys in girls' sports.
““So I don’t know what the term means anymore,” the vice president added.” — Washington Examiner
““That’s what unites the socialists that I see running across the United States of America today,”” — Washington Examiner
Left1 article
-
JD Vance roasted after his 'socialism' claim instantly backfires: 'Nothing means anything'
Critical Treats Vance's definition as a blunder, built around critical social media reactions.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
-
Vance defines socialism as wanting boys to play in girls’ sports
Neutral Straight account of Vance's remarks within the visa-fraud press conference and midterm context, with a headline stating his definition.
- 8 Oct 17:57 First Washington ExaminerR Vance defines socialism as wanting boys to play in girls’ sports
- 8 Oct 20:18 +2h 21m Raw StoryL JD Vance roasted after his 'socialism' claim instantly backfires: 'Nothing means anything'
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.