Former US President Donald Trump on Thursday extended Diwali greetings and pledged to safeguard the interests of Hindu Americans, vowing to shield them from what he described as the “anti-religion agenda of the radical left.”
Trump highlighted his commitment to protecting their freedoms and enhancing relations with India, a nation he said was a vital ally.
Sharing a post on X, Trump wrote, “We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi.”
Trump also condemned attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus and Christians, amidst the political turmoil following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos,” Trump said.
Hasina’s resignation on August 5, which was spurred by widespread protests against a contentious government job quota system, has left the country in disarray, prompting the establishment of a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
This is for the first time that Trump has addressed the crisis in Bangladesh, where reports indicate that hundreds of Hindus were killed during protests in July and August. He contrasted his approach to that of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he accused of ignoring the plight of Hindus both globally and domestically.
“It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border,” Trump said, adding, “but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength!”
Trump also critiqued Biden and Harris on economic matters, claiming, “Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before—and we will Make America Great Again.”
He also extended his Diwali wishes, saying, “Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil.”
Trump’s outreach to Hindu Americans was strategic, aiming to consolidate support within this community while also appealing to broader concerns about global stability and economic resilience.