Rachel Campos-Duffy Shares Heartwarming Moment with Daughter on ‘Fox & Friends’
Rachel Campos-Duffy, co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, shared an emotional and uplifting moment with her 5-year-old daughter, Valentina, on air. The touching exchange took place in honor of World Down Syndrome Day, where Campos-Duffy spoke candidly about her experience raising a child with Down syndrome.
Valentina, who was born in 2019, has brought immense joy and empathy to the Campos-Duffy family. Reflecting on her daughter’s impact, Campos-Duffy shared how Valentina’s presence has enriched their household. “She’s as lovely, precious, and joyful as any other child,” Campos-Duffy said, emphasizing that children with Down syndrome face only “treatable challenges,” such as heart conditions or thyroid issues.
In the interview, Campos-Duffy discussed the misconceptions that often surround Down syndrome, explaining how medical professionals sometimes instill fear in expectant parents upon receiving the diagnosis. She stressed the importance of raising awareness to counter these fears, highlighting the joy and fulfillment that children like Valentina bring to families. “I think it’s really important to raise awareness because a lot of women get this diagnosis and become fearful,” she noted.
Her daughter’s health challenges have not slowed down the family’s dynamic. Campos-Duffy, who has nine children with her husband, former Congressman Sean Duffy, shared how Valentina’s siblings have learned empathy, patience, and helpfulness through their interactions with her. “Our kids have learned tolerance and patience,” she said. “They’ve learned to be helpful.”
During the segment, Valentina also briefly showcased her pilates skills, which she learned through physical therapy, much to the delight of viewers.
Campos-Duffy also expressed her pro-life views during the interview, recalling her inspiration from Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who has a child with Down syndrome. “So many children with Down syndrome are being terminated in the womb,” Campos-Duffy said. “When people meet them and see how wonderful they are, we’ll see less of that.”
In addition to her advocacy for children with Down syndrome, Campos-Duffy reflected on the 30th anniversary of her appearance on MTV’s The Real World. She acknowledged that the show’s fifth season, which aired in 1994, would not be made today due to the effects of “woke cancel culture.” She expressed concern over how cancel culture stifles free expression and promotes self-censorship. “When you shame and punish people just for having a different point of view, you get a lot of fake virtue signaling,” she stated.
The segment was a heartwarming reminder of the power of empathy and the importance of raising awareness about Down syndrome, while also shedding light on the challenges posed by today’s cancel culture.
