US VP Vance "conversion to Christianity" remark about Hindu wife sparks row, issues clarification

United States Vice President JD Vance has stirred massive controversy after his remarks about his Hindu wife, Usha Vance, "converting to Christianity" someday. However, following the backlash, he clarified that his wife has no such plans of conversion, and he respects her decision. 

Vance's statements came during a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday, where a young woman who is believed to be of South Asian origin questioned him about his religion, his interfaith marriage to Usha, and the White House's policies on immigration. 

What did Vance say that led to a controversy? 

As he responded to the question, Vance started to reveal that Usha accompanies him to the Church on most Sundays. But what he added further led to the controversy.  

Vance said, "As I have told her, and I have said publicly, and I'll say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends, do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in Church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that, because I believe in the Christian Gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way." 

Adding, "But, if she doesn't, then God says everybody has free will, and so, that doesn't cause a problem for me. That's something you work out with your friends, with your family, and with the person that you love."

Vance further disclosed that the couple has decided to raise their three children as Christians, who also attend a Christian school. 

Vance's clarification post backlash 

Following the remarks, the Vice President faced severe backlash online. Some people accused him of being insensitive towards Usha's Hindu identity, and his words reflecting "religious entitlement." 

Days later, Vance addressed the controversy on his social media handle on X, clarifying that his wife has no plans to convert, and that he respects her decision. 

"She is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, but like many people in an interfaith marriage - or any interfaith relationship - I hope she may one day see things as I do. Regardless, I will continue to love and support her and talk to her about faith and life and everything else, because she is my wife." 

What a disgusting comment, and it's hardly been the only one along these lines.

First off, the question was from a person seemingly to my left, about my interfaith marriage. I'm a public figure, and people are curious, and I wasn't going to avoid the question.

Second, my… https://t.co/JOzN7WAg3A

— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 31, 2025