Racist rant: US lawmaker, Democrats condemn Trump's 'hellhole' remark on India

India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the comments as inappropriate, uninformed, and in poor taste, and said they do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which is based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee criticized Trump, stating the US is at war with Iran, thirteen service members are dead, and the president has placed tens of thousands of Americans in harm's way. They argued he was amplifying racist trash on social media and urged leadership that acts responsibly.

The Hindu American Foundation said it was deeply disturbed by Trump sharing what it described as a hateful, racist screed targeting Indian and Chinese Americans, urging Trump to delete the post.

Congressman Ro Khanna directly questioned Vice President JD Vance over the controversy.

Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi criticised President Trump on X, calling the post a racist rant and saying it is disgraceful and beneath the office he holds. He argued the rhetoric insults millions of Indian Americans and undermines the India-US partnership, and urged focusing on strengthening ties rather than division.

The article notes that backlash followed Trump sharing a video by conservative commentator Michael Savage, who criticised birthright citizenship. Savage alleged immigrants exploit US laws by arriving late in pregnancy and claimed that a baby born in the US becomes an instant citizen, enabling families to join shortly after.