Observers on social media quickly pointed out the inappropriateness of the exchange between JD and Erika. “No friend runs their hands through a man’s hair in what should be a hug of grieving comfort. It shows an intimacy beyond being platonic … Why is he holding her waist? It’s just not normal, it’s actually uncomfortable to see,” commented one user on X. Others echoed the sentiment, noting that such gestures, even if innocent, did not seem appropriate for a Vice President in a public setting. “Maybe she’s just an affectionate person naturally. I have a friend like that. But you can’t do that to the Vice President of the United States in a VERY public moment! It doesn’t look right,” another user remarked.

The situation was further complicated when Erika drew comparisons between JD and her late husband during her speech. “No one will ever replace Charlie, no. But I do see some similarities between my husband and JD, in Vice President JD Vance,” she stated. This comment added to the swirling rumors of marital discord between JD and Usha Vance, rumors that were already gaining traction. JD’s remarks during the event about his personal beliefs seemed to inadvertently add fuel to the fire.

During the Q&A session, JD Vance candidly acknowledged a religious disconnect between himself and his wife, Usha, which stirred controversy. Social media users took issue with his characterization of his wife as Agnostic or Atheist, especially since Usha has openly spoken about her Hindu upbringing. “I did grow up in a religious household, my parents are Hindu, and I think that was one of the things that made them such good parents, that make them really very good people,” Usha shared with Fox News in 2024.

JD further incited backlash by expressing his wish for Usha to share his Christian beliefs. “Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, I do wish that. Because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way,” he admitted. Notably, JD’s religious journey began after meeting Usha at Yale Law School in 2010, as he only converted to Catholicism in 2019, around the time he began considering a Senate run.

It didn’t help matters that Erika compared JD to her late husband in her speech. “No one will ever replace Charlie, no. But I do see some similarities of my husband in JD, in Vice President JD Vance,” she said. Their joint appearance certainly added fuel to the divorce rumors that have been plaguing JD and Usha — and JD didn’t do himself any favors while discussing his life’s personal beliefs during the event. 

During the Turning Point USA Q&A, JD Vance confirmed he has a religious disconnect with Usha Vance, sparking controversy with the way he discussed his interfaith marriage. Social media users took issue with his description of his wife as an Agnostic or an Atheist, when she has openly discussed growing up in a Hindu household. “I did grow up in a religious household, my parents are Hindu, and I think that was one of the things that made them such good parents, that make them really very good people,” she told Fox News in 2024.

But JD angered even more netizens for admitting that he is unhappy with his wife’s religious beliefs. “Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, I do wish that. Because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way,” he said. However, when he met Usha at Yale Law in 2010, he wasn’t religious. In fact, he converted to Catholicism only in 2019, when he began toying with the idea of running for Senate.

Usha was there for him during his religious epiphany, though. “Usha was actually raised non-Christian. She is actually not Christian. But I remember when I started to re-engage with my own faith, Usha was very supportive,” he said on the Fox News interview. Usha has even agreed to raise their three children in the Christian faith, showing the extend of her respect for his spiritual choices.