Beverly Vance Aikins, mother of Vice President JD Vance, publicly condemned Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed this week, following remarks he made about her son's family. The criticism surfaced during an interview on the "Fearless" podcast with conservative commentator Tomi Lahren, where Vance Aikins vocalized her strong disapproval of El-Sayed's comments. The contentious exchange highlights the escalating rhetoric in the closely watched Michigan Senate race, a contest deemed crucial for the balance of power in Washington.
"I’d probably punch the guy if I ever seen him, and then that would get me in trouble — So, I’ll just go with the flow." Beverly Vance Aikins, Mother of Vice President JD Vance
The feud originated from an April appearance by El-Sayed on "The Allen Analysis Show." During that podcast, El-Sayed specifically targeted Vice President JD Vance's marriage to Second Lady Usha Vance. His comments delved into speculative territory regarding Usha Vance's personal sentiments and even her pregnancy. "What do you think is going through Usha’s head when [the vice president] talks? She’s like, ‘Damn, I have to sleep with him,'" El-Sayed reportedly stated. He then added a crude reference to her pregnancy, remarking, "I guess she’s pregnant so something is happening."
El-Sayed's remarks subsequently shifted focus to the couple's children, making forecasts about potential future family discussions. "Can you imagine, he’s got brown kids, at some point he’s going to have a really awkward conversation with his kids, like, you made your career hating people who are different," he commented. He reiterated this stance days later, telling audiences that "JD Vance has brown kids who he thinks are less American than everyone else." The Democratic candidate's provocations also extended to Vice President Vance's late grandfather, implying disapproval of Usha Vance due to her Indian-American heritage. This particular jab was a response to a Vance appearance in Ohio, where the Vice President cited his grandfather while accusing El-Sayed of framing criticism of Sharia law as inherently racist. El-Sayed further escalated the exchange on social media platform X, writing, "So do we think JD is taking Usha with him back in time to meet Papaw, or no..."
In her recent interview on the "Fearless" podcast, Beverly Vance Aikins did not hold back her feelings regarding El-Sayed's statements. She directly addressed the candidate by name, stating, "I think that man’s an idiot." Vance Aikins emphasized the deeply personal impact of the attacks on her grandchildren, expressing an unbreakable bond with them. "Those are my babies. I love those babies and would do anything for any of them," she affirmed. Her defense extended equally fiercely to her daughter-in-law, Usha Vance, whom she praised extensively. "And I love Usha as if she were my own daughter. She’s one of the best, most genuine people I’ve ever met. And she loves my son, and she’s a good mother," Vance Aikins said.
Initially, Vance Aikins claimed to disregard such comments, telling Lahren, "And I don’t pay attention to people like that." However, under further questioning, she acknowledged the remarks did affect her, admitting, "I mean, it makes me mad, honestly, because he doesn’t know JD and he doesn’t know, you know, what type of person he is, and I do, but in the long run, I’m not going to do anything about it." Her most striking comment came when she admitted to considering a physical confrontation. "I mean, you know, I’d probably punch the guy if I ever seen him, and then that would get me in trouble — So, I’ll just go with the flow," she added.
Abdul El-Sayed, a former Detroit public health official, is currently engaged in a heated campaign for Michigan’s open Senate seat. He is challenging Republican opponent Mike Rogers in a race that has garnered significant national attention. El-Sayed’s campaign has notably employed confrontational rhetoric, frequently targeting the Trump administration and Vice President Vance. The Michigan Senate contest is considered a top priority for both Republican and Democratic parties as they aim to secure control of the Senate. As of the time of publication, neither El-Sayed’s campaign nor any spokesperson for the Vance family had issued further comments following the podcast interview broadcast on September 2, 2026.
