Vice President JD Vance defended his comments about hoping his Hindu wife embraces Christianity, calling criticism “disgusting” and accusing opponents of “anti-Christian bigotry.”
Vance said 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”.
Vance 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 if 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 in by church? Yeah, I honestly do wish”.
He added that Usha had “encouraged me to re-engage with my faith many years ago” and promised to “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 raised concerns about cultural sensitivity and respect for Asian American communities, with critics noting he has not condemned racist attacks targeting his wife and recently dismissed offensive remarks about Chinese and Indian Americans by young Republican officials.
Usha clarified she is “not intending to convert” and continues to give her children access to Hindu traditions.