JD Vance says his mother asked 'which tribe?' after learning about Usha’s Indian heritage

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has recounted a personal anecdote about his family's initial reaction to his wife Usha Vance's Indian heritage. Speaking on the "Diary of a CEO" podcast, Vance shared that his mother inquired, "Which tribe?" after learning about Usha's background.

Vance characterized the question as a cultural misunderstanding rather than malicious intent. Usha Vance, born Usha Bala Chilukuri, is the daughter of Indian immigrants from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Her family has strong ties to the Telugu-speaking community and includes many academics and educators.

She met JD Vance while attending Yale Law School, and they married in 2014. The couple now has three children. Vance has often spoken about the positive influence of Usha and her family, noting in his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" the warmth of her Indian family life, which contrasted with his own upbringing.

Usha Vance has established a notable career, including clerking for Chief Justice John Roberts and Judge Brett Kavanaugh. She became the first Indian-American Second Lady and the first Hindu spouse of a U.S. Vice President. However, some nationalist and white supremacist groups reportedly view her background negatively, suggesting it could hinder Vance's presidential aspirations in 2028.

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Which tribe?