Vice President J.D. Vance has defended his comments about hoping his Hindu wife embraces Christianity, calling the criticism “disgusting” and accusing opponents of “anti-Christian bigotry.”

Vance wrote in a post on X, “My Christian faith tells me the Gospel is true and is good for human beings… anyone who’s telling you otherwise has an agenda.”

He made the remarks amid backlash following a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi, where he spoke about American patriotism and his interfaith marriage.

An attendee asked whether he hoped his wife, Usha, would share his Christian faith. Vance replied, “Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by in church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that.”

He added that Usha had “encouraged me to re-engage with my faith many years ago” and said he would “continue to love and support her and talk to her about faith and life and everything else, because she’s my wife.”

The vice president’s comments prompted debate over cultural sensitivity and respect for Asian American communities, with critics noting that he has not condemned racist attacks targeting his wife and recently downplayed offensive remarks about Chinese and Indian Americans made by young Republican officials.

Usha clarified that she is “not intending to convert” and continues to raise their children with access to Hindu traditions.