American President-elect Donald Trump had thanked the Hindu-Americans for their support in his election, saying he that “great with Hindus”, a community he had earlier said he loved and wooed at an election rally in New Jersey.
“We have a lot of people here tonight from the (sic) India.” He then narrowed down to “the Hindus. We did great with the Hindus.”
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He said, “Where are they? We have a big group. There they are. I want to thank you. You folks were amazing. They were amazing and voted and they were fantastic.”
In October, when Trump became the first presidential nominee to reach out to Indian-Americans, pitching himself to them directly at a rally in Edison, New Jersey. He perceived his love for Hindus and said, “I love Hindu (in the singular)” and that under his administration, India and the US will be “best friends”.
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Trump spoke glowingly about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and called him a “great man”, and used an election slogan inspired by and the one used by the Indian leader in his own campaign: “Abki bar Trump sarkar.”
The Trump family, son Eric Trump and his wife Lara Trump had then visited several Hindu temples over Diwali in Virginia and Florida. The Trump campaign also released an advertisement in which he said “Aab Ki Baar Trump Sarkar”.
Republican Hindu Coalition chairman Shalabh Salli Kumar said that all this had an impact on the voting pattern of Indian-Americans, who are traditionally have been strong Democratic supporters.
By Premji
