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At the Taj Mahal, JD Vance writes in the visitors’ book, Usha Vance asks about its architecture

JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, and their children spent more than an hour at the Taj Mahal.

Vice President JD Vance and his family, including wife Usha Vance, visit the Taj Mahal on April 23, 2025, in Agra, India. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

US Vice-President J D Vance Wednesday visited the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra along with his wife and three children as part of his four-day visit to India.

The US vice-president, his wife Usha Vance, and sons Ewan and Vivek, and daughter Mirabel landed in the morning in Agra from Jaipur, and were received by Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

“The Taj Mahal is amazing. A testament to true love, human ingenuity, and a tribute to the great country of India. Thank you!” Vance wrote in the visitors’ book at the Taj Mahal.

Nitin Singh, the guide who took the US second family around the Mughal-era monument, said the visit lasted about an hour and ten minutes. At the Royal Gate, Singh said he explained the history of the Taj Mahal, including who built it, when it was built, why it was constructed, and how many years it took to complete.

A warm welcome to Hon’ble US @VP Mr. @JDVance, and his family to Uttar Pradesh, the sacred heartland of India, renowned for its timeless devotion, vibrant culture, and spiritual legacy. pic.twitter.com/JDJPRB7C7M

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) April 23, 2025

The family then spent some time getting their photographs clicked, and then moved inside to the main mausoleum, where the conversation shifted to architecture, Singh said.

Usha Vance, a History graduate, asked Singh detailed questions about the stones used in the construction of the 17th-century monument, the marble inlay work, the architectural style, and the sources of the materials.

During the visit, Singh said Vance told him, “‘I’ve been to many places in the world, but this is the most beautiful structure I have ever seen’.”

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“His middle son, Vivek, was curious about how marble was transported from distant locations for the construction of the monument. I told him elephants transported it. He told me he had seen elephants at the Amer Fort yesterday,” Singh said.

JD Vance

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The Vance family said they would like to return when the weather is better, ideally to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise.

“The Vice President also inquired about who served as the guide for former President Donald Trump during his visit. So, I told him I had taken the President around,” Singh added.

According to Singh, Vance also expressed hope that this visit would inspire more American tourists to come to the Taj Mahal.

The family left Agra for Jaipur immediately after visiting the Taj Mahal. JD Vance and his family arrived in Delhi Monday on a four-day visit that came weeks after President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries, including India.

Vance’s India visit will conclude on Thursday.

Devansh Mittal

Devansh Mittal is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in the New Delhi City bureau. He primarily covers civic governance, urban infrastructure, and environmental policy in the National Capital Region. Professional Background Education: He studied Political Science at Ashoka University. Core Beats: His reporting focus includes the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Delhi Metro. He has also shown a strong specialization in environmental accountability, particularly during Delhi’s winter pollution crises. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reportage in late 2025 has centered on the severe air quality crisis in Delhi and high-profile civic developments: 1. Environment & "Express Impact" "Express Impact: Action cell, weekly inspections to rid Rohini of its dust" (Dec 21, 2025): Following his investigative report that flagged Rohini as a "dust bowl," he covered the subsequent government action to set up a dedicated Dust Action Cell and mandate weekly joint inspections. "Air toxic, Delhi govt makes 50% work from home a must" (Dec 17, 2025): Reporting on the mandatory WFH advisory and the Rs 10,000 relief announced for construction workers affected by the Stage 3 GRAP ban. "Broken pavements, untarred roads: Why Delhi's Rohini is a dust bowl" (Dec 18, 2025): A ground-zero report detailing how dug-up roads and unfinished civic works have worsened air pollution in North West Delhi. 2. Urban Governance & Infrastructure "New Metro museum at Supreme Court station opens for public on December 19" (Dec 18, 2025): Reporting on the relocation and inauguration of the iconic Metro Museum by CM Rekha Gupta. "Data shows surge in sale of DDA flats in last three years" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical piece on how the DDA has begun clearing its massive unsold inventory of housing through new schemes. "Birth to death services under one roof: How Delhi's expansion to 13 districts makes citizen lives easier" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailed coverage of the administrative reorganization of Delhi into three new districts (Outer North, Central North, and Old Delhi). 3. Transport & Safety "Govt orders probe after off-duty pilot assaults passenger at Delhi airport" (Dec 21, 2025): A high-impact report on a physical altercation at IGIA involving an Air India Express pilot, which led to a formal investigation by the Civil Aviation Ministry. Signature Style Devansh is recognized for his "spot check" reporting style. His work often bridges the gap between environmental science (source apportionment data) and public health, making complex pollution metrics accessible to everyday residents. He is also a regular contributor to the Express political pulse, analyzing how urban issues like housing and dust affect voter sentiment. Contact X (Twitter): @devanshmittal_ ... Read More