JD Vance Defends Trump's Doll Talk — And It's Even Wilder Than You Think

1 month ago 3

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday defended President Donald Trump’s statement that children will just have to deal with having fewer dolls as a result of his tariffs by offering parents a wild counterpoint: Those kids could go to war.

“What I’d ask people is not whether they want two dolls or five dolls or 20 dolls for their kids...,” Vance told Fox NewsMartha MacCallum.

“I’d ask American moms and dads ... Would you like to — God forbid, if your country goes to war and your son or daughter is sent off to fight — would you like to know that the weapons that they have are good American-made stuff, not made by a foreign adversary.”

Vance, who also diverted from the dolls talk by arguing that kids’ prescription drugs could become more available in American pharmacies, noted that Trump’s point was about “bringing self-reliance back” to the U.S. economy.

“And that’s not going to happen overnight, and that’s not always going to be easy, Martha,” he said earlier in the program.

Vance’s comments come just one day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that he would reassure a little girl with fewer dolls that they would have a “better life” than their parents and experience “economic freedom” thanks to Trump.

Earlier this week, Mattel — the maker of Barbies and other popular toy lines — announced that it would hike prices on select products in the U.S. due to higher costs linked to Trump’s tariffs.

Vance: What I would ask people is not whether they want 2, 5, or 20 dolls for their kids but I would ask… god forbid if your country goes to war and your son or daughter is sent off to fight, would you like to know that the weapons that they have are good american-made stuff pic.twitter.com/qSm6nlfWN4

— Acyn (@Acyn) May 8, 2025

Social media users on X, formerly Twitter, swiftly clowned Vance over his war talk.

“If our administration drafts your children into a war, don’t you want to know that their weapons were made in America” is an interesting pivot from the question, “How many dolls should a child own?” https://t.co/cXHuxeDllA

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 8, 2025

“Don’t worry about toys you’re going to war little guy.”

Lmaooooo most tone deaf admin in history

— AC Tatum (@actatumonline) May 8, 2025

Translation
Vance: "When your kid sits on Santa's lap, perhaps instead of asking for a doll, ask for a missile."

— Craig Rozniecki (@CraigRozniecki) May 8, 2025

"Give up your wealth for the state and raise your kids to defend the motherland" is very communist of him.

— The Dens 🇺🇲🇺🇦 (@FoxBrambleFarm) May 8, 2025

Why on earth does Vance think our military procures weapons from our adversaries, and why is he anticipating a new war? 😳

— Carolyn from Maryland (@carolyn_from) May 9, 2025

This is like that Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game, except you see how quickly you can go from "children's toys" to "weapons of war." https://t.co/2k93DdOizX

— Steve Pierce (@steve_pierce) May 8, 2025

“Ok we’re making it more expensive to live, but have you considered that when we send your kids to die in war they will be holding an American made weapon??” https://t.co/E0GfaH0da6

— chyea ok (@chyeaok) May 9, 2025

Being self reliant means the government doesn’t dictate how many dolls I can buy for my kids…the mere fact he cannot bring himself to say the President was wrong is sad, but not surprising.

— TDMcClellan (@TorranceMcClell) May 8, 2025

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