JD Vance says attending an event in Los Angeles reminded him of visiting US embassy in 3rd world country
JD Vance Compares Los Angeles to Third-World Country After Attending LA Event
JD Vance says attending an event - Vice President JD Vance recently shared his observations about California's decline during a conversation with podcaster Joe Rogan, noting that attending an event in Los Angeles reminded him of visiting a U.S. embassy in a developing nation. The comparison came after Vance drove through a rough neighborhood on his way to an exclusive Christmas gathering, where he noticed striking contrasts between wealth and poverty. JD Vance says attending an event in the California city brought back memories of his time in Haiti, where he observed similar patterns of inequality.
"And I realized when I was there, you know what this reminds me of? This reminds me of going to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti," Vance explained during the podcast discussion. He described the experience as having "super security, crazy wealth and privilege and status on the inside, and squalor and misery on the outside." The vice president noted that this was the first time he had considered that parts of America could be more like a third-world country than he previously imagined.
Personal Connection to California
Vance mentioned that his wife, Usha, hails from southern California, and the couple has spent considerable time in the state. This personal connection made the deterioration of Los Angeles particularly painful for him. "Because every time I'm in LA, you can see why this was like the quintessentially American city," he said, praising the beautiful architecture and unique atmosphere of the city.
"Like you said, the weather is amazing. And then you drive through skid row, and you're like, how could any state or any city let this happen?"
Rogan, who previously lived in California, shared his own experiences with the state's challenges. He mentioned that many people want to leave but are struggling to sell their homes. The podcaster criticized Governor Gavin Newsom for what he described as gaslighting the public about California's economic situation.
"He's just gaslighting everybody about how well — 'Oh, the GDP of like the fifth-largest country in the world. That's what California is,'" Rogan said. "Hey bro, it was like that before you were the governor!" Vance added a practical observation about evaluating a state's health by comparing U-Haul truck rental costs for moving in versus moving out.
Broader Implications
Rogan reflected on his years in California, noting that he enjoyed the fun activities and warm weather until "politics ruined it." He pointed out that Skid Row, the area known for homeless encampments and crime, has actually expanded by five blocks. The conversation highlighted growing concerns about California's trajectory under Democratic leadership.
Fox News Digital reached out to Governor Newsom's office for comment on these observations but did not receive an immediate response. The discussion between Vance and Rogan has resonated with many Americans who share similar concerns about urban decay and political leadership in California. As the vice president continues to travel and attend events across the country, his observations about different regions provide valuable insights into the nation's changing landscape.