JD Vance Slammed After Telling Florida Politician Descended From Slaves To Leave the United States

Vice President JD Vance drew backlash after telling Florida Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon to 'get the hell out' over her self-described socialist views. Vance made the remarks on 1 October during a Republican rally at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida. The exchange gained attention after Nixon and Democratic US Rep. Ro Khanna criticised the vice president's language.

Nixon, a Florida House member representing District 13, is challenging incumbent Republican US Sen. Ashley Moody in the 3 November election. Vance was campaigning for Moody and Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds when he also attacked Nixon and Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly.

Before naming Nixon, Vance spoke about Floridians from Latin America and argued that 'socialism kills'. He then turned to Nixon and her political views.

'When Angie Nixon calls herself a socialist, I think the right response is to say, 'Then get the hell out of here,'' Vance said. 'You don't belong in America if those are your views.'

That final clause provides important context. Vance explicitly tied the remark to Nixon's political views. He did not mention her race or ancestry while making the comments about her.

JD Vance Remarks Draw Criticism Over Angie Nixon's Ancestry

Khanna criticised Vance on X and highlighted Nixon's race and family history. The California Democrat described Nixon as a Black woman descended from enslaved people.

'Telling a Black woman who is a descendant of enslaved people to leave America, @JDVance, I do not know what to say,' Khanna wrote. 'Even I didn't believe you would go this low.'

Nixon has also publicly described herself as a descendant of enslaved people. She previously connected her family history to her political outlook and support for civil rights activism.

Her response to Vance focused heavily on belonging. Nixon said the vice president had come to her home state and told her to leave the country while benefiting from a nation her ancestors helped build.

'I don't wanna COUCH my words here: I know JD Vance, his eyeliner, and Absent Ashley Moody are used to running away from people when things get tough because they care more about themselves and their billionaire buddies than the people they represent. But this is my home,' Nixon said.

She continued: 'The most ordinary man imaginable came to my home state to tell me to get out of America while he and Absent Ashley enjoyed the comfort of buildings my ancestors helped build.'

'Imagine standing on the shoulders of the people who built this country and then telling their descendants they don't belong here,' Nixon added.

The rally crowd responded with loud cheers to Vance's attack. He later urged Florida voters to 'kick her to the curb and send Ashley Moody to Washington.'

Moody has served in the US Senate since January 2025 after being appointed to the seat vacated by Marco Rubio when he became secretary of state.

Angie Nixon Fires Back and Shifts Focus to Florida Costs

Nixon also used her response to shift attention towards issues central to her Senate campaign, including property insurance and healthcare costs.

'Wanting lower property insurance and healthcare for everyday families isn't un-American; it's what working people deserve,' Nixon said.

She then sharpened her criticism of Vance, Moody and their political allies.

'They can take their tech-bro cash and their weird, intrusive agenda somewhere else, because I'm not going any damn place.'

The dispute has become part of the increasingly combative rhetoric surrounding Florida's 2026 statewide races. Vance framed Nixon's socialist politics as incompatible with his view of American political values. Nixon responded by grounding her argument in her roots in Florida, her ancestry and the economic concerns she says affect working families.

The distinction remains important. Vance's recorded remarks connected his 'get the hell out' statement directly to Nixon's political views rather than her race or ancestry. Critics including Khanna, however, argued that the language carried additional weight because Nixon is a Black woman descended from enslaved people.

Florida voters will decide the Senate contest between Nixon and Moody on 3 November. The same ballot will feature the governor's race between Jolly and Donalds.