President Donald Trump has sparked widespread backlash after he appeared to mock Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s accent during a recent speech in South Korea, where he also boasted about his role in stopping a supposed conflict between India and Pakistan.
The bizarre remarks came during Trump’s address at an event in Gyeongju, South Korea, where the former president discussed global politics and foreign relations. His attempt at humor, however, quickly went viral, and not for the reasons he may have hoped.
Trump Tells Story of “Fighting” Nations
“You’re fighting with India,” Trump began, recounting an alleged conversation about tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries. “And, you know, two nuclear nations. And they said, ‘No, no, no. You should let us fight.’ They both said that. They’re warring, they’re strong people. I’ll tell you what.”
He then turned his attention to Modi personally, describing the Indian leader in contradictory terms. “Prime Minister Modi is the nicest looking guy,” Trump said. “He looks like someone you’d like to have as your father. He’s a killer. He’s tough as hell.”
Moments later, Trump broke into what appeared to be an exaggerated imitation of Modi’s voice, saying: “‘No, we will fight,’” in a mock Indian accent. The former president then reflected on his own impression, joking: “I said, ‘Whoa, is that the same man that I know?’”
Trump went on to claim that within “two days” of his involvement, the fighting between India and Pakistan stopped. “How is that? Isn’t that amazing?” he said. “Now, you think Biden would’ve done that? I don’t think so. Most people wouldn’t have thought of it.”
Social Media Users Slam the Remarks
Almost immediately after clips of the speech surfaced online, social media erupted with criticism. Many users on X accused Trump of disrespecting one of America’s key allies and mocking a foreign leader’s speech.
“WHAT THE F***? Drag him off the stage,” one user wrote. Another called the moment “legitimately hard to watch.”
Others took a broader swipe at Trump’s leadership, suggesting his behavior was an embarrassment to the country. “I can’t imagine that anyone who knows what a real leader looks like thinks that he in any way resembles one,” one critic posted. “What’s with the fixation on Biden? Why is he still catching strays from Trump?”
Another user added: “I’m not sure what’s more sad and pathetic: this braindead loser showcasing each and every day how unfit he is as a basic human being, or the rest of the world leaders pretending he’s normal.”
Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images.
Backlash Follows Recent Verbal Slip
The controversy over Trump’s comments about Modi comes just days after another viral gaffe. Speaking aboard an American aircraft carrier in Japan on October 28, Trump appeared to confuse President Joe Biden with President George W. Bush while addressing U.S. service members, AOL detailed.
“Biden used to say he was a pilot. He was a pilot, he was a truck driver, whatever, whoever walked in. He wasn’t a pilot,” Trump said. “He wasn’t much of a president, either, to be honest with you. That I can tell you.”
Critics on X were quick to note that there is no record of Biden ever claiming to be a pilot, but Bush, who served as a fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard, fits the description Trump seemed to be referring to.