JD Vance Clarifies Wife's Religious Status: "Not Christian, No Plans to Convert" Amid Interfaith Marriage Controversy

US Vice President JD Vance recently addressed criticism regarding comments he made about his wife Usha's religious beliefs, clarifying that she is not Christian and has no intention of converting. In a passionate response on X, Vance described the backlash as "disgusting" and explained that while the question about his interfaith marriage was personal, he chose to answer it openly given his position as a "public figure."

The controversy emerged after the Republican leader faced condemnation for stating he would appreciate if his Indian-origin, Hindu-raised wife would convert to Christianity. He had mentioned that she accompanies him and their children to church, as they are being raised in the Christian faith.

Responding to a specific post on X that criticized him for "throwing his wife's religion under the bus," Vance provided a detailed explanation through several key points.

"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," Vance wrote.

He further elaborated that his understanding of Christianity informs his belief that the Gospel benefits humanity. Vance revealed it was actually his wife who encouraged him to reconnect with his faith years earlier.

"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," he stated.

Vance strongly condemned the criticism, suggesting it demonstrated "anti-Christian bigotry." He defended his perspective, adding, "Yes, Christians have beliefs. And yes, those beliefs have many consequences, one of which is that we want to share them with other people. That is a completely normal thing, and anyone who's telling you otherwise has an agenda."

During a Turning Point USA event in Mississippi on Wednesday, Vance had said, "Now, most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church. As I've told her, and as I've said publicly, and as 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 by 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."

However, he also emphasized, "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, with the person that you love."