JD Vance Faces Backlash Over Comments on Wife’s Faith, Accused of Hypocrisy and “Hindu-Phobia”
US Vice President JD Vance is in the news for all the wrong reasons. He is getting criticised on social media over his comments on his wife’s religion.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 31: What was initially an innocuous remark at an informal debate rapidly became a lightning rod of contention for Vance’s political career with Indian Americans accusing him of hypocrisy and “Hindu-phobia”.
The Interfaith Love Story of JD and Usha Vance
The Vance-Usha jodi, as it was referred to by South Asian media, met during law school and was married in 2014 in an interfaith ceremony with a Hindu pandit and a Catholic priest. They have three children who are being brought up as Christians.
Social Media Backlash
I am a Christian. My wife is not a Christian. My wife has no plans to convert, said Vance following the backlash over his controversial comments over his wife.
Vance wrote, “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'll continue to love and support her and talk to her about faith and life and everything else, because she's my wife,” in a post on X on Friday.
Political Motives Behind the Controversy
Vance’s remark was less about religion and more about pandering to MAGA’s faith-first politics. Vance had thrown under the bus easily for the person who had been once his “spirit guide” to appeal to the Christian nationalists for electability. That was the reason for the backlash.
For Trump, this is the last term as president. For Vance, it is the beginning of the race to the White House in 2028. So, his remark in the Turning Point event is of much significance.
A Comment That Stirred a Debate
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019 after an evangelical Protestant upbringing, went on to say that both he and Usha were “atheist or agnostic” when they met. Then came the bomb: a seeming call to convert.
He said, "Do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, honestly, I do wish that, because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way."
Remarks Spark Outrage Among Indian Americans
It took hardly more than a day for Indian Americans to go after Vance, and Vance’s remarks were met with cheers from MAGA Republicans and Christian conservatives. The timing is crucial due to the growing American anti-Indian theme. Users on social media perceived Vance’s remarks as throwing away his wife’s own religion or culture for political advantage. Some also pointed out how Vance said nothing during Diwali.
Viral Photo Drama
Behind the scenes of the controversy is a viral photograph of Vance giving Erika a warm embrace. Erika, Charlie Kirk’s widower, is seen cozying up to Vance on stage. MAGA supporters said JD Vance understood the United States may not like a “Hindu First Lady” and is likely to marry Erika before his probable 2028 presidential campaign.
