OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 29: Erika Kirk and U.S. Vice President JD Vance embrace at the Pavilion at Ole Miss on the campus of the University of Mississippi on October 29, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. Thousands attended the Turning Point USA event to honor Kirk's husband, the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Photo by Brad Vest/Getty Images)
Former MSNBC host Joy Reid has stirred controversy with remarks made during a recent episode of the “I’ve Had It” podcast. Reid suggested that Vice President JD Vance might consider significant personal changes to maintain his appeal among the MAGA base after President Donald Trump leaves office. Her comments come amidst speculation about Vance’s relationship with his wife, Usha Vance, who is of Indian American descent.
Reid’s assertions were reported by Fox News, where she questioned whether Vance believes he requires a different kind of spouse to secure his political future. “They can’t have the successor to MAGA be the guy with the Brown Hindu wife,” Reid stated, indicating that some supporters might not accept Usha Vance as a potential First Lady. “They’re also Christian nationalists. That ain’t going to work. That’s why he’s throwing his wife under the bus. Poor Usha. Or she’s in on it.”
As the discussion progressed, the focus shifted to Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. A recent interaction between Erika Kirk and Vance at a Turning Point event had drawn attention on social media. Co-host Jennifer Welch remarked, “Playing slap and tickle with Erika Kirk, it’s the weirdest s— I’ve ever seen. She’s like in her Tammy Faye era.”
Reid reacted strongly to a video clip of the encounter, describing how Kirk embraced Vance during the event. “Holding on the back of his head and rubbing on his head,” Reid said, suggesting that such behavior would raise suspicion if it were witnessed in a traditional marital context. She further critiqued Kirk’s choice of attire, questioning, “You’re supposed to be a widow, you in leather pants? That’s not widow wear.”
In a provocative moment, Reid theorized that a split between the Vice President and his wife could potentially be a strategic political maneuver. “Wouldn’t it be the most perfect fairy tale, MAGA fairy tale, if he finally sees the light that he needs a White queen instead of this Brown Hindu?” she posited, leaving open the possibility that Usha Vance might not be aware of such a shift.
These comments from Reid come a few months after MSNBC canceled her show in February 2025, leading to her current appearances on YouTube with “The Joy Reid Show.” The implications of her comments suggest a deepening conversation around identity and politics within the MAGA movement, as well as the personal dynamics influencing political figures.
The intersection of personal relationships and political viability remains a contentious topic, and Reid’s comments have undoubtedly added fuel to the ongoing discussion. As the political landscape evolves, the implications of such personal speculations could resonate beyond mere gossip, highlighting the complexities of public image and support within political spheres.
Watch the video clip of Reid’s comments on social media platforms to gauge the full context of this developing narrative.
