Meghan McCain has ignited controversy following a speech delivered by Violet Affleck, the daughter of acclaimed actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, at the United Nations where she discussed long COVID.
Violet, at just 19 years old, championed the importance of adhering to mask mandates and advocating for clean air initiatives to address ongoing health concerns during her address on September 23 in New York City.
In a now-deleted post on X, McCain expressed her disdain, stating, “This entire situation is why nepo babies annoy people so much.” She questioned Violet’s authority to speak at the UN and dismissed the content of her message as “patently absurd.”
Though her initial tweet was ephemeral, McCain rehashed her sentiments with a similar message the following day.
The former View co-host, ironically self-admitting to her “nepo baby” status as the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, faced backlash for what some see as hypocrisy. As critics called attention to her privileged upbringing, McCain retorted on Thursday to critics “clutching their pearls” over her comments.
She stated, “To those upset that I labeled Violet Affleck a ‘nepo baby,’ I simply reply: ‘Takes one to know one!’ Check my Twitter bio for clarification.” This aptly demonstrates the complexity of navigating personal identity in public discourse.
McCain further elaborated, insisting that her own prestigious parentage would have precluded her from such a role at the UN at such a young age: “My parents would have never allowed me to speak at the United Nations at 19 on matters outside my expertise.”
She concluded, “Fame is a double-edged sword; you must be prepared for the scrutiny that comes with it, as I have been.” Adding a personal touch, she expressed her unusual stance against continued mask mandates for children in the future, suggesting a level of parental autonomy amidst ongoing public health debate.
Jennifer Garner and daughter Violet at the White House in December 2022. Nathan Howard/Getty Images
Us Weekly has reached out to representatives of Affleck and Garner for their perspectives on the matter.
During her impactful speech, Violet was pictured wearing a K95 mask, emphasizing a stark warning regarding the future of the younger generation, which she claimed political inaction was threatening, particularly regarding long COVID.
Violet took aim at the “relentless push for normalcy” that disregards both the reality of airborne transmission and the perils posed by long COVID. She argued that informed choices are being made on behalf of young individuals without their involvement.
Addressing the audience, she asserted, “We are facing a reality where COVID-19 is not just a moment in time; it is airborne and can lead to significant health issues,” stating that the implications of a single infection could severely impact one’s health.
In her address, she stressed the importance of recognizing that “every subsequent infection raises the risk of long-term health issues,” referencing current research which shows how long COVID has overtaken asthma as the most prevalent chronic illness in young children.
Violet, a student at Yale University and a prominent advocate for youth changes regarding COVID-19, previously made headlines for her eloquent speech opposing a mask ban in schools. During that address, she shared personal experiences related to a “post-viral condition” that she dealt with following a viral infection in 2019, necessitating her use of a mask in public.
Violet also gained attention earlier this year for an impactful essay addressing the severe consequences of the California wildfires on her community, showcasing her emerging voice on environmental issues.
The daughter of Affleck and Garner, who were married from 2005 until 2018, also shares two siblings: Seraphina, 16, and Samuel, 13. Following their separation, Affleck entered a relationship with Jennifer Lopez from 2022 until 2025, while Garner has been in a relationship with John C. Miller since 2021.
