US Vice President JD Vance has hit back at the criticism over his visit to Disneyland with his family. The backlash came after California Governor Gavin Newsom took a dig at him, pointing to ongoing immigration raids in the state.
Vance was seen enjoying the theme park with his wife, Usha Vance, and their two children. Videos of the family’s visit quickly went viral on social media on Saturday, with some posts mocking the Vice President and even making fun of the way he was walking.
On Sunday, Vance posted a short reply on social media saying, “Had a great time, thanks.”
NEWSOM SLAMS VANCE
His post came after Governor Newsom shared a comment on X, reacting to viral videos showing Vance and his family enjoying the popular theme park over the weekend. Newsom’s message read: “Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t.”
This comment pointed at the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which Newsom has strongly opposed. His remarks came just as protests broke out in Anaheim, close to Disneyland, where nearly 150 people gathered to show support for immigrant families affected by ongoing federal raids in California.
Newsom’s office continued to criticise Vance, pointing out that many Disneyland workers are immigrants and that California’s economy depends heavily on immigrant labour.
While JD Vance’s family outing to Disneyland made headlines, his California trip also included an official stop at Camp Pendleton, a key military base. There, his wife Usha Vance participated in a literacy event, reading to children of active-duty service members.
Although his reply to the backlash was just one line, it drew widespread attention for its measured and composed tone. Vance chose not to directly address either the protests in Anaheim or Governor Gavin Newsom’s pointed remarks.
Newsom, widely seen as a potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential race, has consistently criticized policies from the Trump administration, especially those concerning immigration and civil rights.
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With inputs from ANI