From “peasants“ to Padilla, JD Vance persistently leans on bigotry behind his spiffy suits

Consistency is key when it comes to image and rhetoric for certain high profile individuals in the Trump administration, presently navigating the reactions to their aggressive immigration policies and in the middle of contemplating the level of aggression in their reaction to the Iran-Israel conflict. Steadfastness can be seen in Donald Trump and his sycophantic allies, but none more so than vice-president JD Vance. In a recent visit to LA, an immaculately turned-out Mr Vance spoke about senator Alex Padilla, calling him, instead, Jose Padilla. He did not cloak the provocation when he said: “I was hoping Jose Padilla would be here to ask a question, but unfortunately, I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn’t the theatre.”

When Mr Vance made the comment, he was clearly referring to a recent incident in Los Angeles where Mr Padilla was inexplicably handcuffed and removed from a homeland security press conference hosted by Kristi Noem after he attempted to ask her questions about immigration raids. The incident was no doubt theatrical, but on the part of Ms Noem’s forceful team, not on Mr Padilla himself. The reference to theatre was uncalled for, and appears incongruous, particularly given his own history with histrionics. What would he call his attack on Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last February? Putting a child to sleep?

The reference to theatre was uncalled for, and is especially hypocritical when Mr Vance himself is an adherent of histrionics. What would he call his attack on Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last March? Putting a child to sleep?

But, perhaps, more offensive was his miscalling of the senator by the first name Jose. Mr Padilla’s parents are immigrants from Mexico. He is the first Latino senator from California. Calling him Jose, a typical Latino name, even if off-the-cuff, snacks of blatant racism and profiling. In addition, Jose Padilla is an actual person—an American citizen convicted in 2007 of conspiracy to commit terror overseas and providing material support to al-Qaeda. He was arrested in 2002 on suspicion of plotting a “dirty bomb” attack, according to media reports at the time. By negligently substituting Alex for Jose, Vance implicitly connects a sitting senator to a convicted terrorist. This leverages a harmful stereotype that can associate people of certain ethnic backgrounds with criminality or disloyalty, particularly in the present context of national security or immigration in the U.S..

This is especially disconcerting and egregious, given the broader context of Mr Vance’s past statements and controversies. Most glaring was when he called the people of China “peasants” during the discussing of trade on Fox News. But most shocking was a 2022 campaign ad, in which he directly asked: “Are you a racist? Do you hate Mexicans?” It sparked outrage and was widely criticized as xenophobic and using a racist dog whistle to appeal to anti-immigrant sentiments. His calling Mr Padilla Joe now is no different. The examples cited here are just two of a string of his racist attacks. Considering this track record, calling Alex Padilla Jose Padilla is not random. It falls within a pattern of Mr Vance’s rhetoric that often targets or disparages minority groups and plays into negative stereotypes.

This is especially disconcerting and egregious, given the broader context of Mr Vance’s past statements and controversies. Most glaring was when he called the people of China “peasants” during the discussing of trade on Fox News

A spokesperson for Mr Vance’s later said that the VP “must have mixed up two people who have broken the law,” in apparent reference to senator Padilla’s altercation with law enforcement (which broke no law) and Jose Padilla’s criminal record. However they framed it, Mr Vance did not apologise, suggesting that he either intended the slight, or at least isn’t bothered by the negative implications. The intentionality, nevertheless, pales in comparison to his lack of empathy for how the remark might affect the individual targeted or the broader Latino community. This is consistent with how the Trump administration tends not to concede to pressure from those who find there rhetoric problematic and divisive.

Beneath his sleek façade of an educated modernist, JD Vance is, in fact, a conservative who deliberately plays to his base. He was initially a strong critic of Donald Trump, even calling the Lord of Mar-a-Largo “America’s Hitler” in private messages and a “moral disaster” publicly. Yet, he dramatically shifted his stance to become one of Mr Trump’s staunchest defender, a loyalty that secured his eventual VP selection. He even dresses to twin with the president after aligning himself with the man. While he might occasionally adopt more trendy elements (like curiously skinny pants), when appearing with Mr Trump, he is often seen in similar suits and tie colours. This creates visual as well as political synergy, suggesting a deeper, almost deferential, connection and espousal of the entire political package, including rhetoric that glares—like red ties—as unadulteratedly racist.

Screen shot: fox11losangeles/YouTube