Potpredsjednik JD Vance i supruga Usha dočekuju četvrto dijete

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance have announced the birth of their fourth child, Alec Neel Vance, marking the first time in over 150 years that a sitting vice president has welcomed a newborn. The couple shared the news via social media on Sunday, stating that the baby was born in the early hours of the morning and that both mother and child are in good health. The announcement was quickly shared by the official White House account on X, which extended its congratulations to the Vances. The arrival of Alec Neel Vance is historically significant. The last vice president to have a child while in office was Schuyler Colfax in 1870, during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. This makes the Vances the first couple to have a child while the vice president holds office in modern times. The birth coincides with a period of increased activity within the Trump administration, as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt recently gave birth to a daughter and took a brief leave of absence earlier this year. The Vances have three other children: Ewan, 9; Vivek, 6; and Mirabel, 4. The couple’s decision to have a fourth child reportedly came after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was close to JD Vance. In his new book, Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith, Vance described how the death of Kirk influenced his and Usha’s decision. After attending Kirk’s funeral with his wife, Vance recounted how Erika Kirk, Kirk’s widow, expressed regret about not having more children with her late husband. This moment reportedly shifted Usha’s perspective on having another child, leading to the conception of Alec. The Vances made the announcement through a joint statement on social media, thanking the medical teams at Walter Reed Medical Center and the White House Medical Unit for their care. They emphasized the support they received from these institutions, particularly highlighting the role of military doctors in the birth. The couple has been married since 2014 and has been raising their children while JD Vance has held public office, including his tenure as a senator in Ohio and now as vice president. The name Alec, chosen for the newborn, has seen a dramatic decline in popularity over the past few decades. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Alec peaked in 1994, ranking 109th with 3,322 babies given that name. However, by 2025, it had dropped significantly to 977th place, with only 234 babies named Alec that year. The name had fluctuated in popularity throughout the 20th century, peaking again in the late 1990s before declining steadily. This decline aligns with broader trends in American naming practices, where many parents are avoiding the most common names in favor of more unique choices. Despite the historical significance of the birth, JD Vance has indicated that he will not take formal parental leave. Instead, he plans to continue working from the vice president’s residence in Washington, D.C., balancing his official duties with caring for his new son. This approach contrasts with previous instances where high-profile officials have taken time off, such as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who took a two-month paternity leave after adopting twins in 2021. The Vances’ announcement has drawn attention not only for the historic nature of the event but also for the personal journey that led to the birth of their fourth child. Usha Vance reflected on the emotional impact of Erika Kirk’s words, noting that they resonated deeply with both her and JD. While she acknowledged that the decision to have another child was not solely driven by Kirk’s remarks, the experience played a pivotal role in shaping their final decision. The Vances’ choice of name for their son, Alec, reflects a broader cultural shift toward selecting names that stand out rather than follow traditional trends. Alongside the name Alec, the Vances have chosen names for their other children that are also relatively uncommon in contemporary American society. This pattern suggests a deliberate effort to select names that hold personal meaning while diverging from the most frequently used options. As the Vances navigate this new chapter of their lives, the arrival of Alec Neel Vance represents both a personal milestone and a notable moment in the annals of U.S. political history.