Despite being debunked weeks ago, Democrats continue to perpetuate a false rumor about former President Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio. The rumor, known as the Vance 'couch meme,' originated on social media and falsely claimed that Vance described a sex act on a couch in his 2016 memoir, 'Hillbilly Elegy.'
Even after fact-checks disproved the claim, Democrats have embraced the rumor, using it as a source of jokes and memes across social media platforms. The false narrative reached a peak when Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, made a joke about Vance during a speech in Philadelphia, which went viral on social media.
Despite media outlets debunking the rumor, Democrats at various levels, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, continued to make veiled jabs at Vance using the false information. Rep. Jared Moskowitz from Florida also joined in, further perpetuating the debunked rumor.
This persistence in spreading misinformation contradicts one of the main criticisms Democrats have had against Trump, accusing him of peddling falsehoods for political gain. The irony is not lost as Democrats continue to propagate a false narrative despite their own condemnation of such behavior.
While some Democrats defend their actions as harmless jokes, others, like Democratic strategist Julian Epstein, warn that this approach could backfire. Epstein cautions against engaging in a 'tit for tat campaign of insult comedy,' suggesting it could become a trap for the Democrats.
Ultimately, the focus on the Vance 'couch meme' detracts from the Democratic Party's efforts to highlight the accomplishments of the Biden/Harris administration and move away from divisive tactics. As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how this episode will impact the discourse and strategies of both parties moving forward.
