Ex-beauty contestant condemns JD Vance for use of embarrassing video- but he won't apologize

A former Miss Teen USA contestant has spoken about after JD Vance recirculated a video of her stumbling over her words on stage. Vance used the video to make fun of Kamala Harris , insinuating her unintelligence.

Caitlin Upton was a contestant in 2007, and had an embarrassing moment on stage , stuttering as she attempted to answer a seemingly straightforward question. Pageant judge Aimee Teegarden asked her why she believed an estimated 20% of Americans would fail to find their own country on a world map.

Upton responded with a nonsensical answer, saying: “I personally believe that US Americans are unable to do so because, um, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps,” replied Upton, then the 18-year-old representative of South Carolina. “And I believe that our education like such as South Africa and the Iraq and everywhere, like, such as, and I believe that they should … our education over here in the US should help the US, should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries – so we will be able to build up our future.”

As a result of the video being circulated around social media, Upton has relived the same humiliation she faced back in 2007. She told New York Magazine that she faced bullying throughout college as a result of the video. The video had almost disappeared from the internet when Vance’s X account republished the clip along with the caption, “BREAKING: I have gotten ahold of the full Kamala Harris CNN interview.”

Caitlin once again faced public humiliation, deleting her social media accounts and calling for an end to 'online bullying.' Vance responded to the backlash on CNN saying, “Politics has got way too lame. You can have some fun while making an argument to the American people about improving their lives.

“I’m not going to apologize for posting a joke – but I wish the best for Caitlin and hope she’s doing well.”

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