During a TPUSA event, Erika Kirk introduced JD Vance on stage, greeting him with a brief hug. Photos of the hug quickly circulated on social media.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and second lady Usha Vance board Air Force Two for travel to attend a Turning Point USA event with Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, in Mississippi, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., October 29, 2025.(REUTERS)
Is JD Vance leaving wife Usha?
Vice President JD Vance’s personal life has come under intense social media scrutiny after his recent appearance at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) student event in Mississippi. Photos of JD Vance sharing a brief, emotional hug with Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, quickly went viral — prompting users to question, “Is JD Vance leaving wife Usha?”
The incident sparked a wave of divorce rumors online, with many speculating about possible tension between JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, following reports of a supposed “religious rift” in their interfaith marriage. Several social media users circulated unverified claims suggesting that differences in faith and recent public interactions had caused strain in the relationship.
However, no credible evidence has emerged to support claims of separation or divorce. Sources close to the couple have dismissed the rumors, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.” The viral hug with Erika Kirk appears to have been a brief and emotional exchange during the TPUSA event, but it quickly fueled headlines such as “Is JD Vance leaving wife Usha? Divorce rumors explained amid ‘religious rift’ reports and Erika Kirk hug.”
Political observers note that public figures like JD Vance often face disproportionate attention toward their personal lives, particularly during election seasons. The Vice President has not made any public comment about the rumors, and neither has Usha Vance, maintaining privacy around their marriage despite ongoing speculation online.
The viral hug
Vance attended the TPUSA event at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion on the University of Mississippi campus on Wednesday, where nearly 10,000 people were in attendance, according to Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
During the event, Erika Kirk introduced Vance on stage, greeting him with a brief hug before his remarks. Photos of the hug quickly circulated on social media, prompting a wave of unfounded speculation about an “affair.”
However, there is no evidence to support any such claims.
Religious rift?
During the Q&A session, an audience member asked JD Vance about his interfaith marriage, noting that his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, is not Christian. The question came amid growing online chatter and JD Vance divorce rumors, with some users even asking, “Is JD Vance leaving wife Usha?” following the viral Erika Kirk hug incident and speculation about a so-called JD Vance religious rift.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, explained that his wife was raised Hindu but was “never particularly religious.” The two met in college when they were both atheist or agnostic, he said. Their story has often been cited as an example of how JD and Usha Vance marriage thrives despite religious and cultural differences.
He shared that the couple is raising their three children Catholic and that Usha Vance often joins the family for Mass, showing mutual respect and harmony despite their faith differences.
“Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing I was moved by in church? Yeah, honestly, I do wish that,” he said, clarifying that his faith journey has never caused conflict at home, despite recent JD Vance religious rift rumors online.
Following the event, Vance expanded on his comments in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“My wife — as I said at the TPUSA — is the most amazing blessing I have in my life,” he wrote. “She herself encouraged me to reengage 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 — 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.”
His statement directly refuted claims of any tension or split, affirming that JD and Usha Vance marriage remains strong and loving despite the noise around the Erika Kirk hug and false JD Vance religious rift narratives circulating online.
Despite his clarification, some social media users falsely suggested that the couple’s differing faiths had caused a “rift” or potential separation.
Vance responds to rumors of " Is JD Vance leaving wife Usha? "
Vice President JD Vance later addressed the growing speculation directly, replying to a now-deleted social media post about the issue. His statement came amid viral discussions asking, “Is JD Vance leaving wife Usha?” and other trending claims linked to the Erika Kirk hug and alleged “religious rift” within his marriage.
“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 explained. “Second, my Christian faith tells me the Gospel is true and is good for human beings,” he added.
Vance went on to say, “My wife — as I said at the TPUSA — is the most amazing blessing I have in my life. She herself encouraged me to reengage 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 — 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.”
His remarks directly countered circulating online claims and divorce rumors that emerged following his Mississippi appearance. Despite viral headlines such as “Is JD Vance leaving wife Usha? Divorce rumors explained amid ‘religious rift’ reports and Erika Kirk hug,” there remains no credible evidence suggesting that JD Vance and his wife Usha are separating.
Political analysts note that such rumors tend to surface more frequently during election cycles, where personal narratives are often amplified online. Nonetheless, both JD Vance and Usha Vance have continued to maintain a united front, with no public indication of marital discord.