Vice President JD Vance responded to MSNBC host Jen Psaki on Thursday, October 23, 2025, following her comments on a podcast suggesting that his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, needed to be rescued from their marriage. Speaking to the press on the tarmac in Tel Aviv, Israel, before returning to the United States, Vance described Psaki’s comments as disgraceful while defending his ten-year marriage.
Vance concluded a two-day visit to Israel, where he collaborated with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to stabilize the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. When questioned about Psaki’s remarks, Vance initially reacted with a facial expression before replying, “I think it’s disgraceful, but of course the second lady can speak for herself,” he told reporters. He further expressed his feeling of being fortunate to have a wonderful wife and hoped she felt the same way about him.
Vance emphasized that he and Usha would continue their service to the country together, noting he was honored to have her accompany him on the Israel trip and at all times. The 41-year-old vice president and his wife have been married since 2014, having met at Yale Law School four years prior during a discussion group on America’s social decline.
Psaki’s remarks were made on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, during an appearance on the podcast “I’ve Had It,” hosted by Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan. In the discussion, the former Biden administration official referred to Vance as a Manchurian candidate, alluding to a 2004 film about a vice presidential candidate manipulated by adversary forces. Psaki suggested Vance was primarily driven by a desire to become president and would do whatever was necessary to achieve the Oval Office.
Her comments about Usha Vance, however, drew the most criticism. “I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of his wife,” Psaki said. “Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here, we’ll save you.” She described the vice president as more intimidating than President Trump in certain aspects, depicting him as young, ambitious, and adaptable to his audience’s preferences.
The comments promptly sparked strong disapproval on social media, with users condemning them as offensive for ridiculing the couple’s marriage. Some viewed the remarks as an affront to women in actual abusive relationships. Fox News host Lawrence Jones expressed outrage on “Fox & Friends,” calling for an apology. Fox News commentator Joe Concha labeled Psaki’s remarks ‘outright slander.’ Newsmax anchor Greta Van Susteren criticized Psaki on X, labeling her a jerk and a mean girl.
Usha Vance, a former Democrat who worked at a progressive law firm, frequently accompanies her husband on international trips. The second lady has traveled with Vance to Greenland, Italy, and most recently to the Middle East. She is the first Indian American second lady in U.S. history, a milestone that has subjected her to racist and misogynistic attacks from far-right social media accounts and commentators.
This is not the first disagreement between Psaki and Vance. They previously clashed in August 2025 following a tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 27. After a prayer service for the victims, Psaki questioned the appropriateness of offering prayers, writing on X that people needed to stop with thoughts and prayers. Vance responded by expressing shock at left-wing politicians criticizing prayer, explaining that people pray because their hearts are broken and they believe God is listening.
Before boarding Air Force Two with his wife on Thursday, Vance expressed optimism about the situation in Gaza. He informed reporters that Rafah, a southern Gaza city devastated by bombardment, could be rebuilt in two to three years. He suggested that the area could see residents returning, with hopes for half a million people eventually living securely and peacefully without posing a threat to their Israeli neighbors. Tensions in the region had escalated over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and at least 45 Palestinians during renewed violence.
Psaki, who currently hosts a prime-time show on MSNBC after serving as press secretary under former President Joe Biden, has not made further comments following the podcast episode.
