MAGA unleashes hate on Diwali as Trump celebrates at White House

US President Donald Trump hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House on 20 October 2025, lighting diyas and extending greetings to Hindu Americans, but the event triggered a wave of racist backlash from his MAGA supporters on X, labelling the festival "worship of false gods" and demanding Hindu figures "go back" to India. In a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the same day, Trump discussed trade and avoiding war with Pakistan, while Modi emphasised unity against terrorism, stating: "On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms."

The Diwali event, attended by Indian-American leaders like Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, highlighted cultural ties but exposed divisions within Trump's base, with hate comments targeting Hindus amid ongoing US-India diplomatic efforts.

Trump's Diwali celebration at White House

Trump participated in the White House Diwali event on 20 October, lighting diyas and issuing a message: "To every American celebrating Diwali, may this observance bring abiding serenity, prosperity, hope, and peace." The celebration featured Indian-American appointees, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, who shared photos and greetings on X. Patel posted a picture from the Oval Office, wishing "Happy Diwali," while Gabbard shared a video message: "Bringing people together." Trump himself highlighted the event as a symbol of US-India friendship, aligning with his administration's focus on cultural diplomacy.

The White House statement reinforced the theme: "Diwali is a time for reflection, renewal, and the triumph of good over evil." However, the festivities contrasted with the hate online, underscoring tensions within Trump's supporter base.

MAGA backlash and hate comments

MAGA supporters reacted with vitriol to Diwali posts by Patel and Gabbard, flooding comments with racist remarks. One user replied to Patel: "Go back home and worship your sand demons. Get out of my country." Another targeted Gabbard: "Bringing people together: Tulsi Gabbard's Diwali message at the White House triggers MAGA backlash." Comments included slurs like "Pajeet" and "curry invaders," with calls to end H-1B visas. A post noted: "MAGA white supremacists attack Diwali online, telling Hindu Americans and leaders like Tulsi Gabbard to 'go back to India' amid rising Hinduphobia."

Laura Loomer, a prominent MAGA figure, raged against the celebration, amplifying the hate. Temples faced vandalism threats, as reported in related coverage. The backlash exposed racism within the base, with one post stating: "Just imagine the hate MAGA has for Indians. Kash Patel, Trump's ride-or-die loyalist, gets trolled & called a 'foreign infiltrator' just for wishing Happy Diwali."

Trump-Modi phone call highlights

Amid the controversy, Trump spoke with Modi on 20 October, extending Diwali greetings and discussing trade, with Trump stating: "We talked about a lot of things, including trade." Modi responded: "Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings. On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms." Trump added he discussed avoiding war with Pakistan: "Donald Trump says he spoke to PM Modi about avoiding war with Pakistan."

The call, lasting 30 minutes, covered US tariffs on Indian goods and Russian oil imports, with Trump claiming Modi agreed to ease reliance on Moscow. Modi highlighted: "Calling India and the United States 'two great democracies,' PM Modi said the two countries stand united against terrorism in all its forms."

Broader context of US-India relations

The Diwali call builds on recent diplomacy, including Modi's July US visit and Trump's mediation in the May India-Pakistan skirmish. Trump's message noted: "To every American celebrating Diwali, may this observance bring abiding serenity, prosperity, hope, and peace." However, the MAGA hate contrasts with this, with comments like "Christian MAGA are fucking hypocrites!" and "MAGA turns on Trump for celebrating Diwali in the Oval Office."

Analysts note the irony, with Trump's Hindu outreach clashing with base racism, potentially affecting Indian-American votes.

The backlash highlights rising Hinduphobia in the US, with calls for "go back" echoing anti-immigrant sentiment. Trump's celebration, attended by Patel and Gabbard, aimed to court 4.5 million Indian-Americans, but the hate undermines it. As Diwali continues, the incident underscores tensions between political gestures and grassroots bigotry.