Vance Remarks Spark Backlash, Onstage Embrace Draws Notice

At a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi, Vice President J.D. Vance said he “hopes” his wife Usha, who was raised Hindu, will be moved by the church and ultimately embrace Christianity. The remarks prompted widespread backlash from Indian‑American and Hindu groups and critics who said the comments disrespected Hinduism and implied it was inferior. Vance defended himself on X, calling portions of the criticism “disgusting” and “anti‑Christian bigotry,” saying Usha encouraged his re‑engagement with faith, that she is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, that she often attends church with the family, and that their children are being raised in a Christian school; Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019. The episode prompted broader debate over public figures discussing spouses’ beliefs and the boundary between private faith and political speech. Separately, an onstage embrace between Vance and Erika Kirk, the widow of activist Charlie Kirk, at the same program drew additional attention and speculation about his personal life.