In a book excerpt from Vice President JD Vance’s upcoming memoir, he shares that his wife Second Lady Usha Vance’s agreement to welcome their fourth child was inspired by Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. In a conversation between Usha and Erika, Erika lamented only having two children with Charlie. According to JD, this changed Usha’s previously reluctant stance on having more children.
The day following her late husband’s assassination at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, JD offered his plane, Air Force Two, to help escort his body to Arizona. The Vances assisted Erika in the immediate aftermath of Charlie’s murder and met with his mother, father, and sister. JD commented that witnessing Erika’s raw grief changed “something” in Usha, and she became pregnant soon afterward.
JD lamented that he had lost his “best friend and closest confidant in the world of politics.” He said: “One life was stolen from us, but another was given. I don’t know why God does things like this. But I am grateful to Him that there will soon be another source of joy in our lives. Another person added to the communion of our family and hopefully to that of the Church. Another person to whom I will sing, ‘Jesus loves me, this I know.’ Another beautiful soul to wonder at and fall in love with God’s beautiful creation.”
In an interview with NBC, Usha shared her thoughts on trying for a fourth child: “People have asked me if we’re going to have a fourth baby, and I’ve never closed the door on that … I grew up in a family of two, and I thought that was a great number. And then I had two kids, and I thought — I didn’t feel quite done, right? So I really wanted to have a third child,” said Usha.
JD reflected on the influence of Charlie on his life, saying, “He talked about the joy that came from fatherhood, the joy that came from raising a family…. And that is the way that I’m gonna honor my friend, is to be the very best at that most important job that I can be,” he said.
The Vances will be the first second couple to welcome a baby while in office since 1870.
JD is living by his word. He previously commented, “I want more babies in the United States of America.”
