‘Becoming a US colony?’ Trump-themed autos in Delhi spark outrage ahead of America’s 250th Independence celebrations

The United States of America is all set to celebrate it's 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026. During what Trump has defined as the 'Golden Age of America' the administration is leaving no stone unturned to organise events on national and international scales.

From creating a 250-ft tall Triumphal arch in Washington DC to organising nation-wide events, it seems the President is doing it all before the mid-term elections. In India, a country deemed to have good relations with the US, celebrations for the upcoming event are in full bloom.

Recently, auto-rickshaws wrapped in images of US President Donald Trump, reading - "Happy Birthday America," were previewed in the nation's capital New Delhi as a part of the 'Freedom250' campaign. As per the US Embassy, the vehicles will roll out across the city in the coming days.

US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, took to X to share the images of the rickshaws announcing the plans. "As we celebrate America's 250th, we also honour the strength and dynamism of the US-India partnership. Stay tuned as #Freedom250 travels across India," he wrote. Speaking to DD India, he said that the relationship between the two countries is on an "incredible footing" and confirmed that the two leaders have been in contact multiple times this year. “They’ve actually spoken several more times this year… not every conversation obviously becomes public. But they did just get off the phone in the last hour,” he said.

While improving relations between the two global superpowers is welcome news, the banners promoting America's 250th anniversary on Indian auto rickshaws have not been appreciated by many in the country.

"Last time I checked, we weren’t one of the Federal states of U.S" wrote one user on X.

"In a response to this indian embassy should get a few washington dc teslas to sport Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana." suggested another.

"Haha... India is rapidly becoming a colony of the United States," quipped one.

"Ritual humiliation to humor a dictator," one said.

"This guy treated us so badly in last one year...and now this" reminded a user.

Ever since Donald Trump came back to power in January 2025, many of his policy moves have affected Indians in the US and India. He previously launched 50% reciprocal tariffs on the country and then moved to hike the H-1B visa fee to $100,000. This also led to an elevation in food costs along with affecting fuel availability in the country. This also led to a elevation in food cost along with affecting fuel availability in the country. These moves not only impacted the Indian economy but also livelihoods and opportunities, thus leading to the negative sentiment among the netizens.