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Second Lady Usha Vance Responds with Humor to Critique of Her Maternity Fashion
Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, recently fired back with a witty reply after a fashion critique spotlighted her coral maternity dress worn in a Father’s Day video. Expecting their fourth child, Vance was the focus of a New York Times article that analyzed the political symbolism behind her outfit, suggesting it contributed to a broader narrative of pregnancy and family values among prominent women connected to the Trump administration.
Unimpressed by the fashion analysis, Usha took to social media to reveal the affordable price of her dress. Posting on X, she quipped, “Now that we know the political significance of my $8.75 coral maternity dress from Old Navy, can’t wait to hear what the New York Times has to say about my elastic-waistband pants and compression socks!” She even shared a receipt showing the dress originally retailed for $49.99 but was purchased at a discounted price of $8.75 after promotions.
The original article, penned by fashion critic Vanessa Friedman, examined the public pregnancies of Usha Vance, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Katie Miller, wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. Friedman argued that the simultaneous pregnancies of these women created a distinct image within the MAGA movement, complementing the masculine branding epitomized by UFC fighters at a recent event hosted by former President Trump.
Friedman highlighted a Father’s Day Instagram Reel featuring the Vances, where Usha told her husband JD that he would soon have another child to read bedtime stories to. The video, with Usha wearing a “stretchy coral dress” that emphasized her pregnancy, was described as a public announcement of the couple’s upcoming addition. The column further suggested that Usha’s pregnancy helped humanize the vice president’s public image, noting her role as second lady includes representing and personalizing the vice president’s persona.
Despite the political reading of her outfit, Usha Vance’s lighthearted response reminded observers that sometimes, a maternity dress is simply that – a maternity dress, purchased at a bargain.