Vice President JD Vance has delivered one of his most forceful and personal public statements yet, drawing a hard line against anyone he believes has attacked his wife, Usha Vance — whether from the far-right fringe or mainstream media.
In an interview with the British political outlet UnHerd, Vance did not mince words when asked about racist activist Nick Fuentes and MSNBC host Jen Psaki, both of whom have made comments referencing his marriage.
“Let me be clear,” Vance said. “Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat shit. That’s my official policy as vice president of the United States.”
The unusually blunt remark immediately sparked widespread reaction, highlighting the vice president’s willingness to abandon diplomatic language when it comes to defending his family.
Racist attacks and media mockery
The controversy traces back to comments made during the 2024 presidential campaign. Nick Fuentes, a well-known white nationalist, publicly questioned Vance’s loyalty to what he called “white identity politics” because Vance is married to a woman of Indian heritage. Usha Vance’s parents immigrated to the United States from India in the 1970s.
“Who is this guy, really?” Fuentes said at the time. “Do we really expect that the guy who has an Indian wife and named their kid Vivek is going to support white identity?”
Vance has repeatedly condemned Fuentes and similar figures as extremists, but the resurfacing of those remarks — alongside new criticism — prompted his latest outburst.
Jen Psaki, meanwhile, drew Vance’s ire after making a sarcastic comment about his marriage during an appearance on the I’ve Had It podcast in October. Psaki, who previously served as press secretary under President Joe Biden, joked about Usha Vance’s perspective on her husband’s political rise.
“I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of [Vance’s] wife,” Psaki said. “Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here. We’ll save you.”
Although Psaki did not directly insult Usha Vance, the vice president described the remark as “disgraceful,” arguing that public figures should keep spouses and families out of political mockery.
Family, faith and scrutiny
Vance’s marriage has often been the subject of public commentary, particularly because of religious differences. He is a Christian, while Usha Vance practices Hinduism. In the past, Vance faced criticism for saying he hoped his wife might one day share his Christian faith — a comment that critics framed as insensitive or controlling.
Speculation also swirled earlier this year after Usha Vance appeared at a public event without her wedding ring, fueling tabloid-style rumors that were never substantiated.
In his UnHerd interview, Vance made it clear that such scrutiny has crossed a line.
“Political disagreement is one thing,” he suggested. “Dragging people’s families into it, especially with racial or sexist undertones, is something else entirely.”
A careful balance with the conservative base
Despite his strong language toward Fuentes, Vance stopped short of calling for a total purge of extremist voices from conservative spaces. Speaking Sunday at Turning Point USA’s annual conference, he struck a more inclusive tone, emphasizing coalition-building over ideological purity.
“When I say that I’m going to fight alongside you, I mean all of you — each and every one,” Vance told the crowd. “President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeating purity tests.”
Those comments reflect the tightrope Vance continues to walk as vice president: publicly rejecting racism and personal attacks while avoiding alienation of segments of the conservative movement that value broad ideological unity.
A message beyond politics
Vance’s remarks have reignited debate over civility in American political discourse, particularly regarding the treatment of spouses and families of elected officials. Supporters argue his response was justified and long overdue, while critics say the vulgar language undermines the dignity of the office.
Regardless, the message from the vice president was unmistakable: attacks on his wife are off-limits — and anyone who crosses that boundary, no matter their political alignment, should expect an unfiltered response.
