'Wonder if she’s a sociopath’: Usha Vance's friend in new profile

A new profile of Usha Vance, compiled from interviews with her friends and former law school colleagues, presents her as a popular and academically accomplished student once set for a distinguished legal career. Her path took a different direction, however, when her husband rapidly rose in politics, becoming Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate.

A former friend from Yale Law School shared with The Cut that “she didn’t seem to have strong emotions,” noting that Usha rarely appeared affected by things and was never particularly vulnerable. This same friend, adding “sincerely” according to The Cut, speculated, “I kind of wonder if she’s a sociopath.” During her time at law school, Usha clerked for future Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and later for Chief Justice John Roberts. She subsequently joined Munger, Tolles & Olsen in corporate law, though she left the firm without making partner once her husband’s vice-presidential candidacy was announced.

Usha, once a registered Democrat, was reportedly planning to vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Her speech at the Republican National Convention was described as “surreal” by another friend, according to The Washington Post. Nonetheless, a different source quoted in The Cut suggested she was fully aligned with her husband’s Trumpian turn: “When people say leave Usha out of it—well, she’s in.” A spokesperson for Usha Vance did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast.

Born in San Diego to Indian immigrant parents, she was raised in a highly academic environment. Her family includes notable educators, such as her great-aunt, who remains an active professor at 96. Her grandfather was a physics professor at IIT Madras, commemorated there with a student award in his name. These influences shaped her intellectual pursuits, and she was especially encouraged to explore literature, including works by R.K. Narayan and Rabindranath Tagore, alongside Western classics (Wikipedia; TheNetline).

Usha's education path took her to Yale for a history degree, after which she attended Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, studying early modern English printing rights. She then pursued law at Yale Law School, serving on prestigious editorial boards before clerking for prominent judges, including Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts. Later, she worked at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, focusing on litigation across sectors like technology and education, although she left her position following her husband’s nomination as Trump’s running mate (Heavy; American Kahani).

Politically, Usha Vance's views have evolved; she was once a registered Democrat and intended to vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016. In recent years, her support shifted toward conservative candidates, aligning with her husband’s views. Usha has been outspoken in her support, participating actively in his campaigns and speaking at the Republican National Convention. Her friends have observed a blend of personal resilience and a reserved demeanour, traits that some perceive as calculated strength. On the campaign trail, she avoids media noise about her family, focusing instead on her husband’s vision and values.

The Vances reside in Cincinnati with their three children, where JD Vance has spoken about family unity and its role in children’s well-being. The couple's choice to raise their family close to his roots reflects their shared commitment to traditional family values and community-oriented life. Usha is vocal in her support of her husband’s political stance, positioning her as both his confidante and an influential partner in his public life.