America’s Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance are in the headlines these days. In fact, a statement by Vance in the recent Turning Point USA program has created a big controversy. He said he wanted his wife Usha, who is a Hindu, to convert to Christianity one day. This comment came when a student questioned him about his religion and marriage.
It is noteworthy that J.D. Vance was formerly a Protestant Christian and converted to Catholicism in 2019. “I want my wife to be as affected as I was, but if she doesn’t, that’s her right,” he said. After this statement, there has been a sharp reaction in the American-Indian community.
Let us tell you that Usha Vance was born in a Telugu Hindu family and she has not left her religion till now. She recently said in an interview that she “has no plans to convert” and that her children are familiar with both Hindu and Christian traditions.
Amidst this entire controversy, rumors of divorce of the Vance couple have also gained momentum. Some users on social media claim that J.D. Vance is preparing to separate from his wife. Not only this, some people have also started linking him romantically with Erica Kirk, who is the widow of former Trump advisor Charlie Kirk.
A recent photo went viral in which Vance was seen hugging Erica on stage, sparking speculations. However, no one has officially confirmed this claim yet.
Vance and Usha were married in 2014, with both a Hindu priest and a Catholic priest officiating. Many Indian-American users on social media have accused Vance of “Hinduphobia” and “hypocrisy”. Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal also criticized Vance, saying he was “reluctant” to accept his wife’s Hindu identity.
According to current information, this controversy could affect Vance’s political image, especially before the possible presidential election in 2028. At the same time, Usha Vance has so far given the message of standing firm on her religion and identity and has said that “faith is personal, which cannot be weighed from someone else’s perspective”.