Vice President JD Vance joked about his powers of persuasion over his wife, Usha Vance, 40, during a speech in Maine, drawing laughs from the crowd.
The 42-year-old vice president used the moment to highlight what he described as his knack for winning people over, including at home.
Vance said Usha had given him a choice before he became vice president: “You can have one of two things. You can be VP, or you can have a fourth child.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, I must be pretty persuasive, because I got both,” he said, prompting laughter from attendees. The Vance family grew in July when the couple announced the birth of their fourth child, a son named Alec.
Still, Vance’s persuasive touch appeared to have its limits after an awkward moment near the beginning of his remarks.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, known for her fiercely independent streak, did not attend the rally, citing a personal schedule conflict. A campaign spokesman nevertheless told Our News Outlet that Collins has a “great working relationship with the Vice President.” Vance went on to recognize her publicly from the stage.
“The second shout-out I gotta give is to my dear friend Susan Collins, the senator from Maine,” Vance said, even though Collins was not in the room to hear the praise.
Over the weekend, Collins told a local outlet she was “already scheduled on Monday,” a remark that appeared to underscore her decision to skip the vice president’s event.
Vice President JD Vance bragged about his ‘persuasive’ power over wife Usha during a speech in Maine
Vance appeared in Brewer, Maine , to deliver remarks at the manufacturing facility of CompoTech, a defense technology company
Susan Collins skipped Vance’s rally in her state on Monday, in an apparent snub
Collins is in the middle of a tough reelection battle in Maine, which has one of the oldest electorates in the country.
Despite being a Republican, Collins has opposed key parts of Trump’s agenda, including tariffs on Canada, which neighbors her state.
Vance noted on Monday that Collins ‘is coming to work every single day and fighting not for a political party…she fights for the great people of Maine.’
She has also opposed several nominees for Trump’s cabinet posts, including Todd Blanche, who was confirmed as Attorney General earlier this month despite her opposition.
Collins also previously skipped a visit Vance made to Maine back in May. During that visit, the vice president shared that he sometimes gets ‘frustrated’ with her.
‘I almost wish that she was more partisan. But the thing I love about Susan is she is independent, because Maine is an independent state. And, frankly, if she was as partisan as I sometimes wish that she was, she would not be a good fit for the people of Maine,’ Vance added at the time.
Despite that, he also said, ‘Let’s give a shoutout to Susan Collins, who’s doing a great job.’
Second Lady Usha Vance posted three photos of her newborn boy Alec Neel Vance last month
Alec Neel Vance was born on July 19. It is the first time a sitting vice president has welcomed a child in office in 156 years
Vance waves as he walks to board Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on August 24, 2026. Vance is traveling to Maine to speak at CompoTech, a defense technology company
Vance appeared in Brewer, Maine, to deliver remarks at the manufacturing facility of CompoTech, a defense technology company.
Vance also campaigned with Paul LePage, the state’s former governor who is running for Congress in Maine’s second congressional district.
Maine’s 2nd is a prime pick-up opportunity for Republicans. Left open by the retirement of Democrat Jared Golden, the seat has an R+4 partisan voter index.
Former governor of Maine Paul LePage speaks at Compotech defense technology manufacturing facility in Brewer, Maine on Monday during Vance’s visit
Republican nominee LePage formerly served as the state’s governor from 2011 to 2019, and this fall he is facing off against Matt Dunlap, who has been the Maine state auditor since November 2022.
The district has voted for Republicans in recent statewide races, and is rated to be Likely Republican by the Cook Political Report.
In a statement released before the event began, a spokesperson for National Republican Congressional Committee compared LePage with his Democratic opponent, Matt Dunlap.
‘While out-of-touch Democrat Matt Dunlap is running for Congress to push policies that hurt Maine’s economy and send jobs overseas, former Governor Paul LePage is running to do just the opposite. LePage will work with President Trump and Vice President Vance to bring jobs home, lower taxes, and make life more affordable for Maine families,’ the NRCC said.
After her previous opponent Graham Platner dropped out of the race amid a slew of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse, which he denies, Maine Democrats selected former state Senate President Troy Jackson as their nominee.
But he has also been marred by his own controversies, including a revelation that he fathered children with his second cousin.
Maine’s Senate seat is rated to be a ‘toss up’ by the Cook Political Report. Recent polling shows the contest in a dead heat.
