Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, has publicly addressed the swirl of rumours concerning the state of their marriage, dismissing the intense public speculation as something she and her husband find "kind of funny." In a candid interview with USA Today published over the weekend, the Second Lady offered a straightforward perspective on the personal scrutiny that has followed the couple in recent months.
The Spark of Speculation
The rumours gained significant traction in November when Usha Vance, a lawyer, was photographed without her wedding ring. This occurred just weeks after her husband, JD Vance, and Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk made headlines for sharing an intimate hug at an event honouring Kirk's late husband, Charlie Kirk. The combination of these events fuelled a media frenzy and online chatter about the stability of the Vances' relationship.
When asked directly about the absent ring in her December 8 interview, Usha Vance provided a simple, practical explanation. She stated she wears her ring "when I wear it, and I don't when I don't," noting that daily life with three young children often influences her choice. "Sometimes I'm wearing it, and sometimes I've just been to the gym and showered and I'm not wearing it," she told USA Today.
A 'Fever Dream' of Public Interest
Vance expressed a desire to focus on her real-life marriage rather than the narratives constructed around it. "I'd rather just sort of live in my marriage and in the real world, and less in kind of the fever dreams that surround it," she explained. She characterized the constant analysis of her relationship as a curious byproduct of public life, where people are eager to "read the tea leaves" and build stories from imagination.
She confirmed the speculation has become a "family joke" but emphasized it is not something she spends much time considering. Her spokesperson had previously echoed this sentiment in late November, telling People magazine that Usha is a busy mother of three who "does a lot of dishes, gives lots of baths, and forgets her ring sometimes."
JD Vance Weighs In
The Vice President himself corroborated his wife's lighthearted take on the situation. In a December 5 conversation with NBC News, JD Vance said he and Usha get a "kick out of" the rampant speculation. The author of "Hillbilly Elegy" acknowledged the trade-offs of public life, stating, "With anything in life, you take the good with the bad. You accept that there are some sacrifices and there are some very good things that come along with it, too."
He concluded with a firm declaration about their relationship, asserting, "But our marriage is as strong as it's ever been." The couple's unified front and dismissive attitude toward the rumours aim to quell the gossip, refocusing attention on their family and professional duties rather than unfounded personal conjecture.
