FACT CHECK: Rep. Emilia Sykes erroneously attributes ‘low-life’ quote to VP JD Vance

At a town hall meeting with constituents in Canton on August 26th, Congresswoman Emilia Sykes made a jarring statement about Ohio resident and Vice President of the United States, JD Vance: “I personally do not appreciate when the Vice President of the United States of America came to Canton and said there were nothing but low-lifes in Akron and Canton.”

FACT CHECK:

There are no credible sources or evidence outside of the word of Sykes that Vance ever said there were nothing but low-lifes living in Akron or Canton. In addition, there are no credible sources or evidence to suggest he has ever said anything that could be construed as directly equivalent to this claim.

WHAT VANCE DID SAY:

According to News 5 Cleveland, while speaking at a steel plant in Canton, the Vice President did strongly imply both cities are chaotic, unsafe, dominated by crime, and have elected officials who are allowing the danger to fester unchecked. “How many of you all have wanted to go to Downtown Akron, or Downtown Canton, or Downtown Columbus for a meal, but you’re worried because the local authorities in these big cities have allowed lawlessness to run wild?”

CONCLUSION:

There is no record of VP Vance calling people in Akron or Canton “low lifes”, however his comments about lawlessness being allowed to run wild could be interpreted as negative or pejorative in nature or tone. Furthermore, his comments do imply both cities are mismanaged and not safe.