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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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Vice President JD Vance has condemned those who criticize his wife, saying that anyone who attacks her “can eat s***”
Vance made the comments to the outlet UnHerd and took aim at far-right white supremacist Nick Fuentes, who had called Vance a “race traitor” for being married to Usha Vance, the daughter of two Indian immigrants.
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He also referred to comments made by MSNBC host Jen Psaki, who did not attack Usha Vance directly, or refer to race, but did take a dig at their marriage.
Newsweek has contacted for comment Psaki via MSNBC and Fuentes via his social media channels.
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Why It Matters
Vance has faced mounting pressure to censure Fuentes and his army of racist and antisemitic supporters, known as Groypers.
Vance has been criticized for saying he hoped his wife, who is Hindu, would one day share his Christian viewpoint. An appearance by the Second Lady without her wedding ring also prompted speculation about their marriage.
Vance’s response to insults of his wife pulled no punches in condemning all racism and antisemitism, which is likely to be seen as the Vice President drawing a red line at what is unacceptable rhetoric on the right.
What To Know
The interview with UnHerd was published Sunday in which Vance said “anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s***.”
During the 2024 presidential race, Fuentes asked whether Vance, who has an Indian wife would be able to "support white identity?”
On the other side of the political spectrum, Psaki, who was press secretary for ex-President Joe Biden, did not attack Usha Vance but did tell a podcast in October, ”I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of [Vance’s] wife,” adding “come over here. We’ll save you,” a comment the Vice President called “disgraceful.”
There has been speculation about the Vance’s marriage after the Vice President said he hoped his wife would one day share his faith and the Second Lady was pictured without her wedding ring.
Vance told UnHerd it was “disgusting” to attack someone because of their race or because they were Jewish but also said Fuentes' influence within the Trump’s administration, and institutions on the right was “vastly overstated.”
This was done often by those who want to “avoid having a foreign-policy conversation about America’s relationship with Israel.”
What People Are Saying
Vice President JD Vance, to UnHerd, “Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s***. That’s my official policy as vice president of the United States.”
What Happens Next
It is unclear whether Vance’s comments will draw a line under the criticism the second couple faces, but they do add to the debate over the role of the right for the GOP, especially as he told the Turning Point USA’s annual conference on Sunday that he would “fight alongside of you, I mean all of you — each and every one.”
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