Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent visit to Nantucket, Massachusetts, drew a brief protest from a small group of liberal demonstrators ahead of a high-dollar fundraiser for the Republican National Committee, as reported [1] by The Gateway Pundit.
Despite their presence, the event set a new fundraising record for the GOP on the island.
Vance arrived in Nantucket on Tuesday to attend the private fundraiser, which, according to the New York Post, brought in $3 million in donations — the most ever raised in a single night on the island for the Republican National Committee.
Protesters greeted Vice President JD Vance as he arrives at the Republican National Committee fundraiser on Nantucket pic.twitter.com/7ykiFLuQZ8 [2]
— Nantucket Current (@ACKCurrent) July 22, 2025 [3]
Ahead of the event, a handful of protesters gathered along a roadway, holding signs critical of Vance and Republican immigration policies. Several signs included messages such as “Fund Ukraine Not ICE” and “Even Cats Know J.D. Is a Lying Fascist.”
Others referenced past remarks made by Vance during the 2024 presidential campaign about “childless cat ladies,” a comment that had briefly stirred controversy when he was announced as President Donald Trump’s running mate.
Protesters held up feline-themed signs reading “My Cat Respects Women” and “Cat Women Scratch Back,” apparently referencing the earlier comment. Another protester held a sign saying “Big Brother Is Watching,” featuring Vance’s image, in reference to George Orwell’s 1984.
Some signs drew comparisons between the current political climate and totalitarian regimes. One read, “It’s Looking a Lot Like 1930s Germany Right Now,” while another stated, “This Is Not 1938 Fascist Germany.”
Protestors have assembled on Cliff Road, the street leading toward the GOP fundraiser that Vice President JD Vance will attend tonight pic.twitter.com/Iq2hX43f9P [4]
— Nantucket Current (@ACKCurrent) July 22, 2025 [5]
The protests remained peaceful, and video clips shared online showed the group jeering as the vice president’s motorcade passed.
The conservative account End Wokeness, which shared video of the protest on X, described the group as “all elderly cat ladies.”
Vice President Vance did not address the protest publicly. The event he attended was closed to press and focused on generating support for the Republican Party’s ongoing political and policy efforts.
The $3 million haul will support RNC activities as the Trump-Vance administration continues its term.
Local officials did not report any disruptions or arrests related to the demonstration.
While the protest was limited in size and impact, it coincided with growing tensions between conservative officials and wealthy enclaves known for their left-leaning activism.
Protestors waited to boo JD Vance today in Nantucket. They were all elderly cat ladies. pic.twitter.com/eORxBgaRt2 [6]
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 23, 2025 [7]
Nantucket, known for its affluent residents and liberal politics, has occasionally served as a backdrop for similar protests during Republican visits.
The vice president’s appearance on the island, however, marked a successful night for the RNC, signaling continued support from donors despite opposition from a vocal minority.