Usha Vance, the Second Lady and wife of vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, has spoken out about the racism her family has encountered, especially the recent wave of online hate aimed at Indian Americans. When JD was named Donald Trump’s running mate, parts of the MAGA-aligned online world erupted with discriminatory remarks that forced the Vance family into an uncomfortable spotlight.
Speaking to The Free Press, Usha didn’t mince words. “Is it great when people try to ‘normalize Indian hate’? Definitely not. It’s awful,” she stated bluntly.
A particular flashpoint was former DOGE staffer Marko Elez’s social media post that read, “Normalize Indian hate.” Although Elez was dismissed, JD Vance’s openness to the idea of rehiring him drew significant backlash. Congressman Ro Khanna publicly questioned whether JD would insist on an apology before considering Elez’s return, stating, “Just asking for the sake of both of our kids.”
Usha Vance said she hadn’t followed every detail of the controversy but emphasized her and JD’s shared priorities. “Nothing matters more to him than our kids, how they grow up, and the life we build as a family,” she said. “We’re both incredibly mindful of how public life could affect them.”
Despite the negativity, Usha described her public reception positively. As the first Hindu Second Lady, she was surprised by how warmly she was embraced. “Honestly, people don’t really seem to care what I look like,” she said, noting her modest upbringing and practical lifestyle.
When asked about fitting in among the political elite, she responded with humor. Laughing at the idea of blending in with “blondes, Botox, and nine-inch heels,” Usha joked that blonde hair would “look totally absurd” on her and that she prefers a more natural appearance.
Now 39, Usha is a Yale Law graduate, a practicing lawyer, and a mother of three. The day before JD’s nomination, she was still working full-time. “I dress like someone with three kids who likes being outdoors and isn’t into fussy clothes,” she shared.
Raised by academic parents—a biologist mother and an engineer father—Usha credits her background for shaping her resilience and sense of balance. Even as her husband enters the national political stage, she remains grounded. “What matters most to me is being a normal person,” she concluded.
