Vice President JD Vance has made no secret of his challenging relationship with his parents growing up, particularly his mother, Beverly Aikins. In fact, Vance, who was largely raised by his grandparents, wrote a
best-selling memoir about his troubled childhood, detailing instances when his mother beat him, would periodically vanish, cycled through romantic partners, abused alcohol and heroin, and even used her son’s urine to pass drug tests.
Aikins has, however, undergone a profound transformation in recent years — from a drug-addicted former nurse to a re-licensed nurse committed once again to helping people, especially those struggling with drug abuse.
The vice president celebrated his mother, her redemptive arc, and her 10 years of sobriety in the White House on Friday.
“Mom, I’m so proud of you,” Vance
wrote on X.
In his VP nominee speech at the Republican National Convention in July, Vance
said, “This moment is not about me; it’s about all of us and who we’re fighting for.”
Among those with whom Vance shared the moment but decided to single out was his mother. He noted that she “struggled with money and addiction but never gave up.”
‘I didn’t know whether you would live long enough to have a relationship with my kids.’
“I am proud to say that tonight my mom is here, 10 years clean and sober,” said Vance. “I love you, Mom.”
The crowd
erupted into applause, chanting, “JD’s mom! JD’s mom!”
“Mom, I was thinking — it’ll be 10 years officially as of January 2025,” continued Vance. “If President Trump’s okay with it, let’s have the celebration in the White House!”
Sure enough, Vance brought his wife, Usha, their three children, and Aikins to the Roosevelt Room on Friday to mark the occasion with nearly 20 other family members and friends.
The Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito
reported that Vance became misty-eyed at one stage while delivering his heartfelt remarks.
“I remember when I gave my RNC convention speech, which was the craziest thing, and I even said during the speech that we would have your 10-year medallion ceremony at the White House,” said Vance. “Well, here we are. And you made it, and we made it. And most importantly, you’re celebrating a very, very big milestone. And I’m just very proud of you.”
Vance, allegedly welling up with tears, said, “I’m gonna try not to cry here.”
The vice president expressed delight not only that his mother was able to join him at the White House but that she survived to meet her grandchildren.
Aikins, who apparently grew up in a brutal household, became a drug addict when Vance and his sister were just young children, reported Deseret News. She started off taking Vicodin, stealing pills from the hospital where she worked, then switched to Percocet, then heroin. Aikins began her recovery just prior to the publication of Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy.”
“I didn’t know whether you would live long enough to have a relationship with my kids. And now here they are, almost 8, 5, and 3, and you’re the best grandmother that these kids could ever ask for,” said the vice president. “It is one of the great blessings of becoming a father, is that I’ve been able to see these kids develop the love and the affection for you and to see it in return. And that’s just an incredible blessing.”
‘I pray a lot more.’
Aikins, who now works as a nurse at the Seacrest Recovery Center in Cincinnati,
told Zito last year, “I want people who are struggling with addiction or who have family members who are struggling with addiction to know that recovery is possible, and you get back so much more from recovery than you ever think you can get back.”
Vance shared a similar message, noting, “I meet a lot of people who think that there is no other side for those who suffer from addiction. Unfortunately, we know that for some, that’s true, but for many, there is another side. And you know, sometimes you get another opportunity with your friends and your family.”
Prior to eating a chocolate cake with the presidential seal in the center, Aikins — who received a challenge coin from President Donald Trump via Vance — emphasized her gratitude to her family, reported the Examiner
“I love my family more than anything,” said Aikins. “I pray a lot more, and hopefully, God gives me several more years to watch these guys grow up. I love you all. Thank you so much for being here.”
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Jd vance, Mother’s day, Vance, Sobriety, Reformation, Reinvention, Bev vance, Drugs, Addiction, Hillbilly elegy, Politics
