Vice President JD Vance made headlines this week after joining the social media platform BlueSky to engage in discussions about a recent Supreme Court ruling. On Wednesday, Vance signed up for the platform, which is known for attracting users who are critical of Elon Musk’s Twitter, and began sharing his thoughts on the ruling that upheld state bans on gender-related surgeries for minors.
Vance’s first post included a screenshot of Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurrence in the case of United States v. Skrmetti. In his remarks, Thomas criticized the reliance on expert opinions regarding gender dysphoria treatments for children. He argued that there is no medical consensus on how to approach the issue and that states should have the authority to decide on these matters.
In his post, Vance invited BlueSky users to engage in what he described as “common sense political discussion.” He expressed his excitement about being part of the platform and highlighted Thomas’ points about the potential flaws in expert advice regarding experimental therapies for young people. Vance also suggested that some researchers may have conflicts of interest due to funding from pharmaceutical companies.
However, Vance’s entry into the BlueSky conversation was met with backlash. Progressive users quickly criticized him. Gun control advocate Fred Guttenberg labeled Vance an "anti-Democracy hack," stating that the platform should not host his views. Another user, Zach Kopplin, called for a campaign to "cyber bully" Vance off the app.
The Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Skrmetti upheld a Tennessee law banning certain medical treatments for transgender minors. The court ruled that this ban does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti celebrated the ruling, stating that it reflected the will of the voters and aimed to protect children from irreversible medical decisions.
Vance’s brief suspension from BlueSky, which occurred shortly after his initial post, added to the drama. His account was reactivated shortly thereafter, allowing him to continue participating in the discussions on the platform. The situation highlights the ongoing debates surrounding gender issues, medical ethics, and the role of social media in political discourse.