Lawmakers flay Trump for amplifying ‘racist trash’

Washington: Democrat leaders and Indian American lawmakers have strongly condemned US President Donald Trump for referring to India and other nations as “hellholes”. The House Foreign Affairs Committee-Demo­crats accused Trump of treating the presidency like a “reality TV gig”. 

Congressman Ami Bera, the son of Indian immigrants, expressed pride in his heritage and described Trump’s comments as “offensive, ignorant, and beneath the dignity of the office he holds”. Bera emphasised America is a nation of immigrants who contribute through hard work and determination.

Congressman Raja Krishna­moorthi called the decision to amplify the racist rant “disgraceful”, noting it undermines the values of opportunity and innovation that define the US. He warned such rhetoric insults a vital global partner and stokes unnecessary division for political gain. On X, he said, “Donald Trump’s decision to amplify a racist rant attacking India and immigrants is disgraceful, and beneath the office he holds.”

Congressman Ro Khanna said, “Any comment on the President insulting immigrants from 'China or India or some other hellhole on the planet'. Do you also think that India is a hellhole and Chinese or Indian immigrants denigrate America?”

Adding an economic perspective, community leader Ajay Bhutoria highlighted the Indian American community contributes nearly 6% of US income taxes despite being just 1.5% of the population. He defended “laptop warriors”—the professionals and CEOs leading companies like Alph­a­bet and Adobe—as ess­ential to the American economy. 

Bhutoria described the “hellhole” rhetoric as a dangerous distortion of reality and a geopolitical blunder, given India’s role as a strategic ally. The Hindu American Fou­ndation urged Trump to dele­te the post, stating it could endanger communities during a period of heightened racism. The reactions highlight growing concerns amo­ng the diaspora regarding rhetoric that targets immigrants and threatens the ties between the nations, which have seen tra­de exceed $200 billion. —Agencies