Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance has made declining fertility rates a core part of his political brand, expressing concern about the United States’ declining birth rates and the impact on future generations. Vance’s criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris and other high-profile Democrats as “childless cat ladies” has drawn attention since Trump picked him as his running mate. While this rhetoric could threaten the Republican ticket’s standing with women, it has delighted those in the pro-natalist movement, which has gained more attention thanks to Vance.
Vance has been clear about making family formation a policy priority, suggesting ideas such as allowing parents to vote on behalf of their children and giving incentives to married couples with children. He has also proposed increasing the child tax credit and banning pornography for minors to address declining birth rates. Vance has argued that people without children should pay higher taxes and policymakers should make it easier for two-parent households to afford living on a single wage in order to prioritize time with their children.
The U.S. has seen a decline in fertility rates since 2008, dropping to about 1.6 children per woman in 2023, the lowest rate on record. Vance has cited declining birth rates in arguments against American support for Ukraine, as well as expressing concerns about immigrants not being able to provide a long-term solution to the decline in birth rates. Demographers and experts have warned that declining fertility rates pose challenges to the Social Security system as fewer workers support an aging population.
Vance’s views on birth rates have received criticism from Democrats and unlikely critics alike, with some questioning his rhetoric about childless women and his proposals to address declining birth rates. Despite the backlash, Vance has received support from Trump and his wife, who have defended his remarks. Moving forward, Vance faces the challenge of translating attention to concrete policy proposals that could appeal to a broader audience.
Supporters at a recent Trump rally in Harrisburg expressed mixed feelings about Vance’s views on birth rates, with some interpreting his proposals figuratively and others disagreeing with his stance on giving parents more voting power. Ultimately, Vance will need to focus on convincing a broader audience that his ideas are worth pursuing and articulating a clear policy agenda around making family formation more affordable and appealing.
