JD Vance Defends His ‘Conversion’ Remark, Says He Hopes His Wife Will Someday Share His Views
US Vice President clarifies his statement, says his Hindu wife has “no plans to convert” but remains supportive of his Christian beliefs.
Washington, Nov 1: US Vice President JD Vance has defended his recent remarks about hoping his wife, Usha Vance, a Hindu, would one day become a Christian like him, saying that she was the one who initially encouraged him to reconnect with his faith.
In a post on X, Vance wrote, “My Christian faith tells me the Gospel is true and is good for human beings. My wife Usha is the most amazing blessing I have in my life. She herself encouraged me to re-engage with my faith many years ago. She is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, but like many people in an interfaith marriage, I hope she may one day see things as I do.”
Vance’s clarification followed criticism over his comments at a Turning Point USA rally in Oxford, Mississippi, where he said he believed in the Christian Gospel and hoped that “eventually my wife comes to see it the same way.”
He added that Usha “grew up in a Hindu family, but not a particularly religious one,” and noted that she attends church on Sundays with him and their children, who are being raised in the Christian faith. “Usha is closer to the priests who baptised me than maybe I am,” he said.
Earlier this year, Usha Vance told Meghan McCain in an interview that she had no plans to convert.
“I’m not Catholic, and I’m not intending to convert or anything like that,” she said, adding that their children are being raised with “access to both the Catholic and Hindu traditions.”
Usha also explained that their children are given the freedom to choose their faith. “Our oldest has chosen to be baptised Catholic, but they all have access to Hindu books, traditions, and experiences, including our recent trip to India,” she said.
The couple, along with their three children, visited India in April for a four-day trip that included cultural and religious visits.
Following Vance’s clarification, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) responded on X, urging mutual respect between faiths.
“With respect, @JDVance, if your wife encouraged you to re-engage with your faith, why not reciprocate and engage with Hinduism too?” the foundation wrote, adding that Hinduism “does not seek to convert anyone” and is “inherently inclusive and pluralistic.”
HAF further urged the Vice President to “acknowledge the positive impact of Hinduism on Hindus and their right to practice freely.”
