Mother Jones Editor Draws Criticism for Comments on VP Vance’s Family

On Tuesday, conservatives expressed their discontent with Clara Jeffrey, the editor-in-chief of Mother Jones, following her comments urging Vice President JD Vance’s children to speak out against President Donald Trump’s deportation policy on social media.

In a post on the social media platform BlueSky, Jeffrey remarked on an incident where Vance’s children were booed at Disneyland, interpreting it as a lesson regarding their father. She inaccurately claimed that illegal immigrant children are sent to “Graggs.” This statement prompted considerable backlash against Jeffrey online.

Donald Trump Jr. reacted by questioning the rationale of such statements, expressing his disbelief on X, while Republican strategist Andrew Surabian referred to Jeffrey as a “Soulless Ghoul.” Surabian articulated his disgust, asking, “Imagine the kind of soulless ghoul you have to be to say this… Imagine being the editor of Mother Jones magazine.”

Meanwhile, Vance and his family faced protests outside a hotel, where demonstrators displayed signs criticizing the current immigration policies of the administration.

Jeffrey accused Vance of utilizing the Disneyland visit for “optics.” She suggested that it was unfortunate for his children to receive boos in a place meant for enjoyment. “It’s hard for JD Vance’s kids while other kids are witnessing their families being mistreated,” she noted.

Moreover, she pointed out that Vance is aware of the backlash he faces, suggesting he might still want to present his family in that light. Other users on BlueSky appeared to mock the situation Vance’s children encountered.

In response to former Democratic Congressional candidate Shannon Fresh, Jeffrey claimed Vance uses his child as a “human shield,” referencing a moment when he faced protesters while holding his three-year-old daughter a while back.

Michael Hobbes, a former reporter for the Huffington Post, commented that children should learn early about their father’s controversial reputation. Vance’s children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—are aged 8, 5, and 3.

In a previous incident, pro-Ukraine protesters confronted Vance, causing concern for his daughter, Mirabel, who seemed frightened during the encounter. The Vice President himself remarked on the distress the situation caused for his young child.