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JD Vance faces backlash after revealing why he decided to have 4th child with Usha: ‘Pure hypocrisy’

JD Vance's remarks on using tax credits for family planning sparked social media backlash. He& Usha Vance are expecting the arrival of a baby boy this summer.

Updated on: Jan 26, 2026, 19:21:07 IST
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Vice President JD Vance has candidly stated that the decision to have another child was not driven by emotional desires or familial aspirations, but rather by political considerations and policy implications.

US vice President JD Vance has revealed discussions with wife about having a fourth child were driven by government incentives, highlighting the intersection of personal and political decisions. (AFP)
US vice President JD Vance has revealed discussions with wife about having a fourth child were driven by government incentives, highlighting the intersection of personal and political decisions. (AFP)

JD and Usha Vance currently have three children: Ewan, 8, Vivek, 5, and Mirabel, 4. They are also anticipating the arrival of a baby boy this summer.

‘We got to take advantage of this stuff,’ Here's what Vance said

While speaking to supporters at the 2026 March for Life rally in Washington, DC, on Friday, January 23, Vance disclosed that governmental incentives significantly influenced his family planning conversations with Usha Vance, who is presently expecting their fourth child.

The Vice President disclosed that he and his wife had a debate about having a fourth child. “Honey, we’ve got an expanded child tax credit, and we’ve got the Trump accounts. We got to take advantage of this stuff,” he stated, drawing applause from the crowd. Vance underscored that for the vice president, the personal and political spheres are not merely aligned, but intentionally interconnected.

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What is child tax credit?

Trump's "big beautiful" spending bill, which was enacted on July 4, 2025, includes a provision that increases the maximum child tax credit, raising it from $2,000 per eligible child to $2,200 starting in 2026.

The child tax credit, often referred to as such, is a partially refundable tax credit designed to reduce your tax liability dollar-for-dollar. Taxpayers with children or dependents under the age of 17 can take advantage of this credit. The children must meet specific eligibility criteria, including possessing a Social Security number and residing with the taxpayer for at least half of the year.

To qualify for the full credit for each dependent, parents and guardians must have an annual income of $200,000 or less, or $400,000 for those filing jointly. As reported by CNBC, the credit is reduced by 5% for every $1,000 earned above these income limits.

Vance faces backlash

Vance's remarks, which went viral on social media, drew criticism from netizens, with one user writing: “Using tax credits and political accounts to decide on having kids? That doesn’t feel right.”

“Bro is literally bragging about having kids for the tax perks like it’s a coupon deal. Also funny how the GOP kills the child tax credit, then shows up pretending they’re “pro-family” while forcing women into pregnancies. Pure hypocrisy,” another stated.

“So your main determining factor on whether or not to have a child is based on tax breaks and financial reasons? Man, it’s almost like financial instability is one of the exact reasons people don’t want children,” a third person commented.

  • Shweta Kukreti
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Shweta Kukreti

    Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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