Let’s be honest, presidential inaugurations are usually a masterclass in stuffy protocol. You have the long speeches, the freezing D.C. wind, and a lot of men in dark overcoats looking very serious. But January 20, 2025, felt a little different. While Donald Trump was reclaiming the White House, it was the three small children of Vice President JD Vance who basically stole the entire show.
Watching the JD Vance kids inauguration highlights was like a reminder that no matter how powerful you are, a four-year-old is still going to be a four-year-old. You’ve got Ewan, Vivek, and little Mirabel standing on a stage that has seen the weight of American history, and they’re mostly just wondering when they can go play. It was relatable. It was chaotic. Honestly, it was the most human part of the whole day.
The Vance Family on the Big Stage
If you followed the campaign, you already knew JD and Usha Vance weren't exactly traveling light. They brought the whole crew to Washington. The kids—Ewan (7), Vivek (4), and Mirabel (3)—were right there in the mix.
Ewan, the oldest, seemed to take it all in with a mix of curiosity and "is this over yet?" energy. Vivek and Mirabel? They were a different story. At one point during the ceremony, Mirabel had her thumb firmly in her mouth, watching the crowds with wide eyes while her dad took the oath of office.
It’s a lot for a toddler. You’re standing in front of thousands of people, cameras are everywhere, and your dad is swearing on a Bible that belonged to your great-grandmother "Mamaw" Bonnie. That Bible, by the way, was the same King James version JD took with him to the Marine Corps back in 2003. Talk about a full-circle moment.
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When the "Prince Louis" Energy Took Over
Social media immediately started comparing the Vance kids to the UK’s Prince Louis. You know the one—the kid who makes funny faces at royal weddings and covers his ears during flyovers?
Vivek Vance definitely brought that vibe to the JD Vance kids inauguration experience. During the indoor parade at the Capital One Arena—which was moved inside because it was absolutely freezing—Vivek was caught on camera resting his head on a barrier. He looked completely over it. At one point, he was even seen playing with a presidential seal like it was a toy at a daycare center.
Later, he was spotted pacing back and forth holding a teddy bear while his dad was busy being introduced as the 50th Vice President of the United States. It was a stark contrast to the high-stakes political maneuvering happening just a few feet away.
- Ewan (7): Tried his best to stay stoic but eventually looked like he needed a nap.
- Vivek (4): The breakout star of the "bored kids" memes.
- Mirabel (3): Held onto her mom, Usha, and kept things relatively low-key.
Why This Matters for the "Vance Brand"
JD Vance has always leaned hard into the "family man" image. He talks about his kids constantly. He even mentioned them in his big RNC speech, telling them to "get their butts in bed" because it was past 10:00 PM.
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Seeing them at the inauguration wasn't just a photo op. It reinforced the "Hillbilly Elegy" narrative of a guy who came from a broken home and built the stable family he never had. Usha Vance, a high-flying litigator in her own right, looked remarkably calm while wrangling three kids under the age of eight in the middle of a national security event.
Honestly, the optics were great for them. In a world of polished politicians, seeing a kid ignore a presidential speech to play with a stuffed animal makes the whole administration feel a little more grounded.
Behind the Scenes: The Logistics of Kids in D.C.
You might wonder how they even pull this off. It’s not like you can just bring a diaper bag onto the inaugural platform without the Secret Service losing their minds.
- The kids were escorted out shortly after the swearing-in.
- They had a designated "quiet zone" during the longer speeches.
- They skipped the most boring parts of the lunch to prep for the parade.
Even with all that planning, kids are unpredictable. There’s a viral clip of the boys looking pretty restless while their dad chatted with President Trump. You can’t script that kind of authenticity.
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What’s Next for the Second Family?
Now that the dust has settled on the JD Vance kids inauguration madness, the family is moving into Number One Observatory Circle. It’s a huge shift. One day you’re in Ohio or a normal neighborhood in Alexandria, and the next, your backyard is a high-security naval compound.
If the inauguration was any indication, we’re going to see a lot more of these three. They aren't the hidden-away type of political kids. They’re front and center, teddy bears and all.
Actionable Insights for Following the Second Family
If you’re interested in how the Vance family navigates the next four years, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch for Usha’s Initiatives: She’s likely to focus on education or legal reform, but expect her to keep the kids' privacy a priority despite their public debut.
- The "Relatability" Factor: Expect the administration to use these family moments to soften JD Vance’s image during tough policy fights.
- Public Appearances: The White House Easter Egg Roll in 2025 is going to be the next big "kids in the spotlight" moment. Vivek will probably be in his element there.
Ultimately, the inauguration showed us that JD Vance isn't just a politician; he's a dad who's currently in the "trench warfare" stage of parenting. And if his kids got a little bored during one of the biggest days of his life? Well, that just makes him a lot like the rest of us.