JD Vance hits back at Jen Psaki's claim his wife fears him: 'Second lady can speak for herself'

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance fired back after former White House press secretary Jen Psaki made controversial remarks about his marriage and potential future in the Trump administration. 

Vance laughed off Psaki’s comments about his wife, Usha Vance, during her appearance on a podcast on Tuesday, October 21, in which Psaki suggested the second lady might need protection from her husband and could be afraid of him.

JD Vance responds to Jen Psaki's joke on his marriage

On Thursday, October 23, Vance spoke to reporters on the tarmac in Tel Aviv, Israel, before departing for the United States.

Notably, JD Vance visited Israel along with his wife Usha, from October 21 to October 23 to back the fragile Gaza ceasefire and help advance its next phase. During the trip, he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss implementing the ceasefire agreement.

When asked about Jen Psaki's remarks, Vance paused briefly and said, "Oh, I think it’s disgraceful, but of course the second lady can speak for herself.” 

He emphasized, "I am very lucky to have a wonderful wife and I know – at least I hope – that my wife feels the same about me." He added, "We’re going to keep on serving the country together and I’m honoured to have Usha by my side on this trip in particular, but always.”

What did Jen Psaki claim about JD Vance's marriage?

During a recent episode of the 'I’ve Had It' podcast, Jen Psaki made controversial remarks about JD Vance. She suggested that Vance could be, in some ways, “scarier” than President Donald Trump and hinted that his wife, Usha Vance, might share that view.

Psaki said, “I think the little Manchurian candidate, JD Vance, wants to be president more than anything else.”

She also speculated humorously about Usha Vance’s perspective, “I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. We’ll come over here. We’ll save you.”

Psaki further criticized Vance as dangerously ambitious and politically adaptable, saying, “And that he’s willing to do anything to get there. And your whole iteration you just outlined, I mean, he’s scarier in certain ways in some ways. And he’s young and ambitious and agile in the sense that he’s a chameleon who makes himself whatever he thinks the audience wants to hear from him."

Lara Trump weighs in on Jen Psaki's remarks

Lara Trump also weighed in on Jen Psaki’s comments about JD Vance ahead of his potential 2028 presidential run, claiming that Vance’s youth unsettles Democrats.

During her appearance on Fox Business’ Varney & Co, host Stuart Varney noted Vance’s age, prompting Lara to respond, “Vance is just over 40 and I think Ush is 39, so yes, they're young, which is terrifying to the Democrats.”

She suggested that Republicans are poised to maintain political momentum for years. She explained, “Imagine, Stuart. We kept what we've seen happen over the past 10 years going for the next 8 years, which is what a lot of people believe is going to happen, that the Democrats are in such a bad spot with no leader, no message, and nothing that the American people are interested.”

She added, "It in that once Donald Trump ends his term and we love the Trump 2028 hats, don't kid yourself. I know everybody, especially a lot of Democrats love those, then it will be JD Vance for the next 8 years."

Lara reiterated that this scenario “terrifies the Democratic Party,” referencing Psaki’s recent remarks about Vance’s political abilities. Varney agreed, adding, “And don't forget the youngsters in the Democrat Party are basically socialists.” Lara nodded and responded, “Right.”