Vance DEFENDS Confederates—SERIOUSLY?!
Vice President JD Vance defended Confederate soldiers in a recent podcast, rejecting the view that every one was “evil,” a stance critics call historical revisionism that risks normalizing treason and slavery.
At a Glance
Vance asked why it became standard to consider “every single person who fought for the Confederate side” as evil, calling that idea “stupid”
He claimed family members fought for both sides in the Civil War, framing the debate in personal rather than moral terms
Critics on social media accused him of downplaying slavery, calling it a “weird hill to die on” for a vice president
Users pointed out the Confederacy’s founding mission was the preservation of slavery and that its soldiers were traitors
Debate reignited over whether individuals complicit in a treasonous, pro-slavery regime deserve sympathy
A “Stupid” Generalization
During an interview on This Past Weekend with Theo Von, Vance argued, “something happened like 10 years ago… where you have to think that every single person that… fought for the Confederate side was an evil person. I just think that’s so stupid,” according to Latin Times. He added that some of his ancestors fought for both the Union and Confederacy, offering a personal lens on the debate.
Social Media Pushback
The remarks quickly drew backlash online. One X user wrote, “Confederapologist is a weird stance for the Vice President of the United States.” Reddit users echoed the sentiment, accusing Vance of revisionism and minimizing the Confederacy’s core ideology. As critics noted, the Confederate Constitution explicitly protected slavery and enshrined white supremacy as a founding principle.
Treason, Slavery and Symbolism
Historians maintain that Confederate soldiers fought for a government explicitly built to preserve slavery. While Vance argued against blanket condemnation of individuals, scholars assert that participating in a treasonous, pro-slavery regime is inherently condemnable. Critics warn that sympathetic reinterpretations risk distorting public understanding of the Civil War and its legacy.
Historical Context and Political Overtones
Vance’s stance aligns with the broader Republican narrative resisting “woke” historiography. His defense of Confederate soldiers echoes GOP opposition to monument removals and racial justice education, raising concerns among historians that national memory is being politically manipulated. As multiple outlets report, Vance’s comments have reignited debates over how U.S. leaders should represent morally complex or ideologically tainted historical figures.
Watch reactions: WTH?! VP JD Vance Calls It “Stupid” to Think Every Confederate Was Evil
As political rhetoric increasingly reframes the past, critics argue that leaders like Vance must tread carefully when addressing legacies built on oppression—lest they normalize the very forces the nation claims to have overcome.