Story perspectives

El-Sayed Faces Backlash for Attacking Usha Vance’s Heritage

8/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D-Mich.) attacked Second Lady Usha Vance over her Indian heritage.
He claimed Vice President JD Vance’s grandparents would not accept her, citing “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Second Lady Usha Vance told Fox & Friends she laughed, never met the grandparents.
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) rebuked El-Sayed, asking why he assumes all Midwestern grandparents are racist.
Commentators Ryan Girdusky and Emily Schrader called El-Sayed’s remarks a “racist creep.”

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D-Mich.) attacked Second Lady Usha Vance over her Indian heritage.
He claimed Vice President JD Vance’s grandparents would not accept her, citing “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Second Lady Usha Vance told Fox & Friends she laughed, never met the grandparents.
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) rebuked El-Sayed, asking why he assumes all Midwestern grandparents are racist.
Commentators Ryan Girdusky and Emily Schrader called El-Sayed’s remarks a “racist creep.”