Second Lady Usha Vance has offered a characteristically composed response to a social media jab from Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who suggested that Vice President JD Vance’s late grandfather might not have welcomed her because of her Indian heritage.
During a Tuesday appearance on Fox & Friends, Vance was asked about El-Sayed’s weekend post on X, in which he wrote, “So do we think JD is taking Usha with him back in time to meet Papaw, or no…” The remark was widely interpreted as an attempt to inject race into the conversation about the Vances’ family life.
Instead of taking the bait, Vance laughed it off. “Someone showed it to me, and I admit I kind of laughed,” she said. “Because yes, I’ve never met JD’s mamaw and papaw.” But she quickly pivoted to a warmer note, emphasizing the love she has experienced from the Vice President’s extended family.
“But I do know and love the children that they raised,” she continued. “And they have never been anything but incredibly loving. His aunt is like a second mother to me. I have to think that, if they raised children like that, they would’ve been loving as well.”
El-Sayed, who is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), made the comment in response to remarks JD Vance made at a Friday event in Middletown, Ohio. The Vice President had criticized an unnamed political opponent, saying, “I would love to go back in time and tell my papaw that there is a man who claims to stand for working people, who says not only should we have sharia law, but if you criticize it, you are a white supremacist.”
The Gateway Pundit first reported on El-Sayed’s post, framing it as a “race-baiting remark” aimed at both Usha and JD Vance. El-Sayed’s tweet included a link to a clip of the VP’s Ohio speech, making clear that his question about the grandfather was a direct response to Vance’s own mention of his papaw.
Political observers noted that El-Sayed’s attack appeared to be a deliberate attempt to paint the Vice President as racially insensitive, given that Usha Vance is of Indian descent. However, Usha Vance’s dismissal on national television seemed to deflate the controversy, as she reframed the narrative around the character of JD Vance’s family rather than engaging with the insinuation.
“I have to think that, if they raised children like that, they would’ve been loving as well,” she said, suggesting that the values instilled by his grandparents are evident in the warmth she has received from their descendants.
The exchange highlights how the Vances have handled personal attacks with a mix of humor and dignity, a trait that has endeared them to supporters. As one political commentator put it, “The Vice President is not only lucky to have married an incredibly wonderful and intelligent woman like Usha, but also very fortunate to have her.”
Should JD Vance ever assume the presidency, many believe Usha Vance would make an exceptional First Lady, continuing the composure she displayed in this latest episode.
El-Sayed’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for further comment, but the candidate’s initial post has since drawn both criticism and support on social media, with some users echoing Usha Vance’s sentiment that the remark said more about El-Sayed than about the Vances.
The Gateway Pundit’s report, which included video of the Fox & Friends interview, underscored the contrast between El-Sayed’s divisive rhetoric and Usha Vance’s unifying response. In a political climate often marked by heated exchanges, her refusal to engage in a racial spat may serve as a model for other public figures facing similar provocations.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, El-Sayed’s candidacy in Michigan has drawn national attention, particularly given his progressive platform and the DSA’s backing. His attack on Usha Vance, however, may have backfired, as it provided her with a platform to showcase her grace under pressure.
For now, the Second Lady has moved on, focusing on the family she loves rather than the politics of division. And in doing so, she has delivered what many are calling the perfect response to an unnecessary slight.
Source: www.thegatewaypundit.com — https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/watch-americas-wonderful-second-lady-usha-vance-issues/