Usha Vance addresses speculation after being spotted without her ring

The wave of conjecture enveloped Usha Vance, the Second Lady of the United States, when she was spotted at a very public event on November 19 in the company of First Lady Melania Trump-without her wedding ring. The pictures went viral on social media in no time and incited rumours about possible marital discord with her husband, Vice President J.D. Vance. According to a report in The New York Times, the incident sparked intense chatter about the state of their relationship.

It was against the on-growing speculation that a representative for Usha finally broke her long-held silence. This spokesperson explained in an email to USA TODAY that Usha, being a mom of three small children herself, does most household chores like bathing the kids or washing dishes during which she often forgets to wear the ring. According to her team, this is simply part of her busy daily routine, not a signal of trouble in her marriage. Some outlets did get an orderly, humanising response, noting that Usha has alternated being seen with and without the ring at other times too.

Still, critics and political observers have not let the moment pass without pointed commentary. Some have contrasted this episode with a public incident from the previous month, in which J.D. Vance was seen in a warm embrace with Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA event. The hug went viral, fuelling conspiracy theories about the nature of J.D. Vance’s relationship with Kirk and the status of his marriage.

Adding another layer to the conversation, J.D. Vance has also talked about his wife's religious upbringing. At that same event, he spoke of the possibility that Usha-who was raised Hindu-might one day join him in Catholicism, which he did in his 30s. He later clarified that they had mutually agreed to raise their children as Christians, but he had no problem if she ever came to share his faith.