JD Vance walks back controversial ‘childless cat ladies’ comment on 'The View' but defends family message

Vice President JD Vance sat down with the hosts of "The View" Tuesday to promote his new book, "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith," while also addressing a self-described "boneheaded" comment that made headlines nearly five years ago. 

While speaking at the roundtable, Vance fielded questions regarding his controversial 2021 comment, in which he said that ​​"we're effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies."

Co-host Joy Behar resurfaced the viral comments, saying, "Mr. Vice President, you make a mea culpa of sorts for calling Democrats ‘childless cat ladies.’"

"Oh man, my most boneheaded comment," Vance replied. 

VANCE DESCRIBES HIS 'CHILDLESS CAT LADIES' COMMENT AS 'ONE OF THE DUMBEST THINGS I EVER SAID'

Behar then went on to ask Vance about his line of thinking when making the comment nearly five years ago, while adding he also referred to it as a "boneheaded" decision in his new book. 

"Here’s what I’d say about that," Vance said. "Did that comment actually shed light on something and start a discussion, or did it just close people down?"

"When I make a comment that just closes people down instead of trying to appreciate the point that I make, that’s a mistake. And that’s on me to do better." 

Vance went on to add that in recent years, he believes the country has shifted its views to no longer prioritize the traditional, nuclear family. 

"I do think in a very subtle, sometimes more profound way, I think our country has become more anti-family and more anti-child," he said.

JD VANCE ADMITS HE SPOKE 'TOO HARSHLY' AGAINST US BISHOPS ON IMMIGRATION ISSUE

Earlier in the exchange, Vance noted that Behar actually seemed to compliment him during a commercial break, revealing, "So Joy said when we were off-air that I'm ‘fine,’ which I think is the best endorsement I'm going to get out of Joy Behar." 

"Well, for a Republican, for a Republican," Behar joked. 

Vance quipped, "Well, thank you, I appreciate that. Graded on a curve here at ‘The View,’" which actually prompted chuckles from the liberal co-hosts.  

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Speaking with Fox News Digital ahead of his appearance on "The View," Vance said he was hopeful that his conversation with the hosts would be a productive exchange that allowed for different viewpoints. 

"It may be the optimist in me, but I just fundamentally think that most people — not everybody, but most people — even if I disagree with them, you ought to try to have a conversation with them," Vance said.

"We're going to go and try to have a good conversation. I hope they meet me halfway. I'm a little skeptical, but we'll see," he added.

Fox News Digital’s Hanna Panreck and Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.