Vivek Ramaswamy and JD Vance have engaged in a public dispute over racist attacks against Usha Vance, highlighting contrasting views on the implications of extremist rhetoric within the conservative movement.
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has publicly defended U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance, condemning the racist attacks directed at her and calling out the ideology behind such remarks.
Ramaswamy’s comments came in response to far-right commentator Nick Fuentes, who used the slur “jeet” to refer to Usha Vance during an appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored.” This incident sparked swift backlash across the political spectrum and reignited discussions on how mainstream conservatives should address extremist rhetoric.
The issue resurfaced on Friday when Ramaswamy spoke at AmericaFest, the first Turning Point USA conference since the passing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Videos from the Phoenix event quickly circulated on social media, drawing renewed attention to Ramaswamy’s stance.
On stage, Ramaswamy reiterated a position he had previously articulated in a New York Times opinion piece. While he did not name Fuentes directly, his message was clear: “If you call Usha Vance, the second lady of the United States of America, a ‘jeet,’ you have no place in the future of the conservative movement.”
Ramaswamy has framed this issue as a test of leadership within conservatism. He stated, “First, conservative leaders should condemn — without hedging — Groyper transgressions. If, like Mr. Fuentes, you believe that Hitler was ‘really f-ing cool,’ or if you publicly call Usha Vance a ‘jeet,’ then you have no place in the conservative movement, period.”
He emphasized that this issue transcends performative outrage, aiming instead to prevent the legitimization of such un-American animus. “The point isn’t to clutch pearls, but to prevent the gradual legitimization of this un-American animus. This online edgelording reminds me of toddlers testing their parents’ limits: The job of a real Republican leader is to set firm boundaries for young followers, as a good father does for a transgressive son,” Ramaswamy explained.
In contrast, Vice President JD Vance shifted the focus from racist language to what he described as systemic discrimination. He remarked, “You don’t have to apologize for being white anymore.”
Vance went on to draw a distinction between offensive slurs and policies that he believes have real-world consequences. “It pisses me off that Fuentes calls my kids ‘jeet,’ and I appreciate that Ro Khanna would never do that,” he said. “You know what pisses me off a million times more? That Ro Khanna, AOC, and Chris Murphy would deny them jobs and opportunities because they have the wrong skin color.”
Usha Vance, JD Vance’s wife, is notable for being the first Indian American and Hindu Second Lady of the United States. Born in California to Telugu Indian immigrant parents who practice Hinduism, her visibility alongside Vance has made her a target for online attacks.
A 2024 analysis by All In Together examined the scale of gendered and race-based attacks directed at Usha Vance across major social media platforms. The study identified approximately 1,800 unique public posts and around 16,000 posts, replies, and shares on platforms such as X, Instagram, and TikTok containing derogatory remarks between January 1 and August 11, 2024. Collectively, this content had a potential reach of nearly 216 million accounts.
The report noted recurring themes in the online abuse. A significant portion referenced Nick Fuentes’ criticism of JD Vance for having an “Indian wife,” which accounted for about 13% of the posts analyzed. The most common line of attack, making up around 33% of the total, centered on insinuations that the Vance family’s son, Vivek, was named after Vivek Ramaswamy. Nearly 6% of the posts went further, accusing Usha Vance of links to Hindu nationalism.
All In Together, which conducted the analysis, describes itself as a non-profit organization focused on “encouraging, equipping, educating, and empowering voting-age women to participate fully in America’s civic and political life,” according to its official website.
The ongoing discourse surrounding Usha Vance’s treatment highlights the broader challenges faced by public figures in the political arena, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the conservative movement will navigate the complexities of identity and extremism in its ranks.
According to All In Together, the analysis underscores the urgent need for a unified stance against racism and discrimination within political discourse.