JD Vance Issues Fiery Warning to Fuentes and Psaki
JD Vance listens to Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 28 February 2025 at the White House, USA. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
Vice President J.D. Vance has drawn a hard line in the sand this week, responding with fierce language to months of racist and disparaging attacks aimed at his wife, Usha Vance. The second lady, who is the first Indian American to hold the role, has been the target of vitriol and speculation from across the political spectrum, including from far-right extremist Nick Fuentes and former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki. Vance's blunt message is that anyone who attacks his wife "can eat s--t," a stance he declared as his official policy as vice president.
VP's Defiant Stand
Vance's response came during an interview with the British outlet UnHerd, where he did not hold back. He named both Fuentes and Psaki directly, refusing to tolerate their attacks on Usha Vance. "Let me be clear," he said, as reported by the New York Post. "Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat s--t. That's my official policy as vice president of the United States."
The attacks on Usha Vance have been both racial and sexist. Fuentes, a 27-year-old far-right white supremacist and Holocaust denier, has repeatedly used racial slurs against her, calling Vance a "fat race-mixer" and a "race traitor" for marrying an Indian American woman, as reported by The Daily Beast. Fuentes' followers have even adopted offensive slang terms to describe Indian people, amplifying the vitriol.
On the other side, Psaki, who hosts a show on MS NOW and served as President Joe Biden's press secretary, made a mocking comment suggesting Usha Vance needed rescuing from her marriage. On a podcast, Psaki joked about wondering what was going on in Usha's mind and urged her to "blink four times" as a secret signal for help, as reported by The Hill.
Racism and Antisemitism in the Spotlight
While Vance condemned the attacks on his wife, he also addressed the broader issue of racism and antisemitism within the conservative movement. He stated that "antisemitism, and all forms of ethnic hatred have no place in the conservative movement," emphasizing that attacks based on race or religion are "disgusting" regardless of the target's background, as reported by The Daily Beast.
However, Vance's stance has drawn attention for its nuance. While he rebuked Fuentes, he stopped short of fully condemning him, influence within the MAGA movement. Vance suggested that Fuentes' impact is "vastly overstated" by critics who want to avoid discussing America's foreign policy, particularly its relationship with Israel, as reported by The Daily Beast.
He also pointed to what he sees as a double standard, noting that for years, political leaders have promoted policies that discriminate against white people, such as affirmative action in college admissions and employment. Vance argued that if racism is truly bad, then Fuentes should only occupy a small fraction of public attention compared to those with "actual political power" who have worked to discriminate against white men, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Navigating Divisions Within the Conservative Movement
Vance's comments come amid growing tensions within the conservative movement over figures like Fuentes. At Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conference, Vance called for unity and rejected "endless, self-defeating purity tests" that divide supporters, as reported by The Hill. He said President Trump did not build his coalition by excluding people over ideological differences and emphasized that conservatives should welcome everyone who "love America," as reported by The Daily Beast.
He also made clear that he did not bring a list of conservatives to denounce or deplatform, urging attendees to honor the legacy of the late Turning Point co-founder Charlie Kirk by avoiding the kind of infighting that Kirk himself refused to engage in.
The Personal Toll of Public Life
The attacks on Usha Vance highlight the personal risks faced by families in public life, especially when racial and sexist rhetoric is involved. Usha Vance, married to JD Vance since 2014, is a mother of three and has become a visible figure in the political spotlight. The vitriol directed at her underscores the deep divisions and hostility that can spill over into the private lives of public officials.
Vance's forceful defense of his wife signals the emotional weight such attacks carry. His refusal to tolerate disparagement from any quarter, whether from a former White House press secretary or a far-right extremist, reflects the heightened sensitivity and stakes involved in protecting family amid political warfare.
A Broader Political Context
The controversy surrounding the attacks on Usha Vance is part of a larger pattern of rising online hate speech that crosses ideological lines. Both the left and right have seen figures making racially charged or sexist remarks, contributing to a toxic political environment. Vance's comments reveal the challenge of addressing hate speech while navigating the complex alliances and fractures within political movements.
His call for conservatives to focus on unity rather than "canceling each other," as reported by The Daily Beast, points to a desire to move past internal conflicts, even as the presence of divisive figures like Fuentes continues to provoke debate.
What Lies Ahead?
JD Vance's public stand against the racist and sexist attacks on his wife marks a significant moment in his vice presidency. It exposes the personal and political challenges that come with high-profile public service in a polarized era. Whether his message will help bridge divides or deepen them remains to be seen, but it undeniably puts a spotlight on the intersection of family, race, and politics in America today.
For now, Vance's message is clear: attacks on his wife will not be tolerated, no matter the source. "That's my official policy as vice president of the United States," he said, leaving no room for ambiguity.
References: JD Vance Finally Loses It Over Attacks on His Wife: 'Eat S**t' | Vance says Fuentes, Psaki can 'eat s‑‑‑' for attacking second lady | JD Vance offers damning message to Nick Fuentes for attacks on wife Usha
