PROGRAMMING NOTE: Watch the exclusive interview with second lady Usha Vance Wednesday on "Fox & Friends," starting at 6am ET.Second lady Usha Vance responded to what critics described as a "racist" dig from Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who appeared to question how Vice President JD Vance’s grandfather would have regarded her.The exchange began after Vance criticized El-Sayed’s views on Sharia law during a rally in Ohio, arguing the practice would be completely alien to his grandfather, whom he calls his "Papaw.""He once argued, not too long ago, that criticisms of Sharia law were rooted in White supremacy," Vance said of El-Sayed, the American-born son of Muslim Egyptian immigrants.VANCE UNLOADS ON EL-SAYED OVER SHARIA REMARKS: ‘THAT’S NOT MY GRANDPA’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY’A split image shows Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, left, and Vice President JD Vance, right.El-Sayed won the Democratic primary for Michigan's open U.S.
Senate seat and will face Republican Mike Rogers in the general election.(Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images; Finn Gomez/Getty Images)"I'd love to go back in time and tell my Papaw that there is a man who claims to stand for working people who says not only should we have Sharia law, but if you criticize it, you're a White supremacist.
That's not my Papaw’s Democratic Party, my friends," the vice president continued.Responding to the vice president’s jab, El-Sayed wrote: "So do we think JD is taking Usha with him back in time to meet Papaw, or no…"Critics interpreted the remark as an insinuation that Vance’s grandfather would not have accepted Usha because of her Indian heritage.Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed poses for a portrait in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Feb.21.
(Evan Cobb for The Washington Post via Getty Images)EL-SAYED UNDER FIRE ONLINE AFTER TAKING AIM AT USHA VANCE, FEMALE TRUMP AIDE IN WEEKEND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS"I have to admit, I kind of laughed," Usha Vance told "...