Vice President JD Vance said Monday that the Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan should “keep my wife’s name the hell out of your mouth because she’s way out of your league.”
Vance’s comment was aimed at Senate candidate Abul El-Sayed, who polls show is tied with Republican candidate Mike Rogers and, if elected, would be the first Muslim to serve in the U.S. Senate.
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The spat between the vice president and a leading Democratic Senate candidate comes as public polling shows Democrats could pick up several Senate seats in competitive races this fall.
Days earlier, Vance inaccurately described El-Sayed’s views of Islam, telling a crowd, “I’d love to go back in time and tell my Papaw that there is a man who claims to stand for working people,” Vance said, “who says not only that we should have shariah law but if you criticize it you’re a white supremacist.” In response, El-Sayed shared a video of Vance’s remarks and wrote, “So do we think JD is taking Usha with him back in time to meet Papaw, or no…” referring to Vance’s wife, who is of Indian descent.
That led to Vance’s remark on Monday, at a campaign event for Rogers in Sterling Heights, MI.
“I would never come to this state and disrespect you or disrespect somebody’s family by talking about another person’s wife, a person who isn’t on the ballot,” Vance said.
Later, he added, “I actually think that the people in Michigan think it’s kind of weird when you talk about another guy’s wife.” After saying voters in the state want to hear about solutions to problems they face, Vance said, “But whatever you want to talk about, Abdul, keep my wife’s name the hell out of your mouth because she is way out of your league.”
Vance’s remark echoed what actor Will Smith said to comedian Chris Rock after smacking him while he was hosting the 2022 Oscars. “Keep my wife’s name out your f—— mouth!” Smith yelled.
Getting personal
This is not the first time Vance’s marriage to a non-white person has drawn attention.
In 2024, Vance was asked about right-wing commentator and Trump confidant Laura Loomer saying that if Vice President Kamala Harris, who is Black and Indian, became vice president, the White House “will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center.”
“Senator, you are married to an Indian American woman. What was your reaction to hearing those comments specifically?” Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked, the New Republic wrote. “I don’t think it’s insulting for anyone to talk about their dietary preferences or what they want to do in the White House,” Vance said, before saying the remarks were not important and that he did not agree with them.
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