Overview
- During an Oval Office press interaction President Trump asked an Indian journalist if he was from India and after the reporter confirmed his origin said, “I was only kidding” and called him “Central Casting.”
- Trump then answered the reporter’s question by describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “good friend” and saying the United States expects to reach a trade deal with India.
- The exchange prompted immediate online criticism that called the remarks racist and there has been no reported formal apology or policy response from the White House.
- News accounts linked the moment to ongoing U.S.-India trade talks and a recent U.S. proposal for a 12.5% tariff on imports from 60 economies including India, which officials have said are near conclusion.
- Commentators noted the comment echoes a May remark when Trump used the phrase “Central Casting” about China’s leader, a pattern that media outlets in India highlighted as part of broader concern about diplomatic optics.