Video shows Usha Vance stumbling while getting off plane with 9-week-old son in her arms

Usha Vance briefly lost her footing while carrying Alec Neel Vance but quickly regained balance before JD Vance joined her with daughter Mirabel
Usha Vance arrived at Joint Base Andrews with her children on October 5 before heading to Alaska with Vice President JD Vance (CSPAN)
Usha Vance arrived at Joint Base Andrews with her children on October 5 before heading to Alaska with Vice President JD Vance (CSPAN)


WASHINGTON, DC: Usha Vance appeared to stumble while walking down the steps of the vice presidential helicopter with her nine-week-old son, Alec Neel Vance, strapped to her chest.

The moment happened Monday, October 5, at Joint Base Andrews as the second lady arrived with her children before heading to Alaska with Vice President JD Vance.

Usha had one hand on the railing and the other on Alec’s head while also carrying a diaper bag over her shoulder.

Near the bottom of the stairs, she appeared to miss a step and quickly reached for the second railing to steady herself. Four service members standing on the tarmac watched as Usha regained her balance. She then continued down the stairs with Alec safely secured in the baby carrier.

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 05: U.S. Vice President JD Vance walks with second lady Usha Vance and children Mirabel Vance and Alec Vance before boarding Air Force Two on October 5, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Vance is traveling to Alaska to campaign in the run-up to the midterm elections on November 3. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin - Pool/Getty Images)
US Vice President JD Vance walks with second lady Usha Vance and children Mirabel Vance and Alec Vance before boarding Air Force Two on October 5, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (Jacquelyn Martin - Pool/Getty Images)

Usha Vance stumbles carrying newborn son

The brief moment came as Usha Vance and two of her children joined JD Vance for a trip to Alaska. Alec, the couple’s fourth child, was born on July 19 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Usha had the baby strapped to her chest in a carrier as she made her way down the helicopter steps.

She was also carrying a diaper bag, leaving her with one hand on the railing and the other resting on Alec’s head.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance board Air Force Two en route to Washington, D.C., at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Nathan Howard for The New York Times
US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance board Air Force Two en route to Washington, DC, at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Thursday, October 23, 2025 (Nathan Howard for The New York Times/Getty Images)

As she neared the bottom, Usha appeared to lose her footing for a moment. She immediately grabbed the second railing and managed to regain her balance.

The moment passed quickly, and Usha reached the tarmac with Alec still strapped securely against her chest.

Moments later, JD emerged from the helicopter carrying the couple’s 4-year-old daughter, Mirabel. He then met Usha at the bottom of the stairs, where she was seen smiling.

JD Vance explains Alaska trip with baby

The Vances were heading to Alaska, where JD Vance was scheduled to campaign for Sen Dan Sullivan. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, the vice president acknowledged that Usha and some of their children were joining him for the trip.

“As you probably saw, Usha and a couple of the kids are joining,” he said. JD also pointed out that the Alaska visit marked Usha’s 50th state and explained why their nine-week-old baby was making the long journey.

Vice President JD Vance talks to reporters before boarding Air Force Two on September 21, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (Photo by Kent Nishimura-Pool/Getty Images)
Vice President JD Vance talks to reporters before boarding Air Force Two on September 21, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (Kent Nishimura-Pool/Getty Images)

“This is Usha’s 50th state, which is why we are bringing a nine-week-old baby on a seven-and-a-half-hour flight to Alaska,” he said. He also joked about how the long flight with a newborn could affect him before his speech.

“So if I give a speech tonight and I looked haggard and stressed out, that’s exactly why,” JD Vance said.

The trip came as President Donald Trump and Vance embarked on a red-state blitz ahead of the midterm elections. In Alaska, Vance was set to speak at a rally in Fairbanks late Monday night in support of Sullivan.

Alec Vance makes history as newborn

Alec’s arrival also marked a notable moment for the Vance family. Born on July 19, he is the couple’s fourth child.

His birth marked the first time since 1870 that a child had been born to a sitting vice president.

The newborn’s presence on the Alaska trip also gave the family appearance a different backdrop as Usha traveled with Alec just weeks after his birth.

The Vances’ Alaska visit is tied to Sullivan’s re-election campaign.

Sullivan is facing former Rep Mary Peltola in the Senate race, with Peltola leading Sullivan by 1.8 percentage points in the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls.

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