During a campaign rally supporting former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders implied that Vice President Kamala Harris lacks humility due to her not having biological children.

Sanders made these remarks while moderating a town hall meeting in Flint, Michigan. Initially, she joked about how her children’s innocent comments serve as a reminder of humility, despite her status as a public figure.

“You can walk into a room where people cheer for you and momentarily think you’re a big deal,” Sanders asserted. “Then you return home, and your kids swiftly remind you that you’re really not that special.”

Continuing with this theme of humility, she made a pointed reference to the Democratic presidential nominee.

“So, my kids help keep me humble,” she told the audience, pausing briefly. “Sadly, Kamala Harris doesn’t have anyone to do the same for her.”

Harris has two stepchildren, Ella and Cole Emhoff, from her marriage to Doug Emhoff, and she frequently discusses her role as a stepmother, sometimes referred to as “Momala.” Doug’s ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, has actively supported Harris’ campaign and often praises Harris’ involvement as a stepmother.

In response to Sanders’ remarks, Kerstin Emhoff stated on X (formerly Twitter), “Kamala Harris has dedicated her career to serving the people and all families. That sure keeps you humble.”

Reactions from the audience included both laughter and some boos, though it was unclear whether they were directed at Sanders or the name-dropping of the opposing nominee.

Following the town hall, Bryan Lanza, a senior adviser for the Trump campaign, criticized Sanders’ remark during a CNN discussion. His comments indicate an effort to separate the campaign from the backlash.

“I actually found that comment quite offensive. I don’t know what else to say,” Lanza remarked. “I’m disappointed in Sarah for saying that. Though I might get criticized by the campaign, I feel compelled to support someone in the role of a stepmom. It is a challenging responsibility, to say the least.”

Sanders’ unfiltered comments align with her reputation for making controversial statements and engaging in cultural conflicts, particularly around gender issues. She has openly opposed the Biden administration’s Title IX revisions and issued an executive order last year to prohibit what she termed “woke, anti-women” language in government. This order emphasized maintaining distinctive language that celebrates gender differences between men and women.

The Trump campaign has faced criticism recently due to a 2021 interview with running mate JD Vance, where he labeled Harris and other Democrats who lack biological children as “childless cat ladies.” This comment drew bipartisan disapproval and galvanized supporters of Harris, reminiscent of how women utilized Trump’s “nasty woman” attacks during the 2016 election against Hillary Clinton as a rallying point.

Kathryn Palmer is an elections fellow for YSL News. You can  follow her on X @KathrynPlmr.