US President Donald Trump has issued a clarification on his controversial “hellhole” remark about India after widespread criticism in India. The clarification was shared through a statement by the US Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday, as diplomatic concerns grew following his social media post.
A spokesperson from the US Embassy said, “The President has said, ‘India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top’,” in an attempt to soften the impact of the earlier comments.
The controversy began after Trump reshared content from conservative radio host Michael Savage, who referred to India and China as “hellholes” while criticising US birthright citizenship laws. The remarks triggered strong reactions in India and raised questions about diplomatic sensitivity.
What Sparked the Controversy
The original podcast clip, shared by Trump, focused on the ongoing debate in the United States over birthright citizenship. Savage argued that the system allows immigrants to misuse US laws by coming late in pregnancy and securing automatic citizenship for their children.
He also used offensive language while referring to immigrants from India and China, calling them “gangsters with laptops” and claiming they exploit American systems.
The podcast further criticised organisations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), accusing them of supporting policies favourable to undocumented immigrants.
Savage also questioned the US Constitution, arguing that immigration and citizenship issues should be decided through public opinion rather than courts.
Strong Political Reaction in India
Trump’s repost triggered strong political reactions in India, particularly from opposition parties.
The Congress party called the remarks “deeply insulting and anti-India” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issue with the US President. “This statement is extremely insulting and hurts every Indian,” the party said in a post on social media.
Congress leader Supriya Srinate also strongly criticised the comments, saying, “How dare Donald Trump call India a ‘hellhole’? How dare he refer to Indians as ‘gangsters with laptops’?”
India’s Official Response
The Ministry of External Affairs responded cautiously to the controversy. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen some reports. That’s where I leave it,” avoiding direct criticism of the US President.
Following the backlash, the US Embassy in New Delhi moved quickly to control the damage by highlighting Trump’s positive remarks about India. The embassy reiterated that the President considers India a “great country” and values his personal relationship with its leadership.
