‘China, or India, or some other hell-hole…’ Who is Michael Savage, the controversial host whose comment was reposted by Donald Trump?

A social media post by US President Donald Trump has once again pushed a controversial media voice into the spotlight. The post featured a podcast clip that included sharp comments about India and China, and it quickly caught attention online. The voice behind those remarks is Michael Savage, a US-based radio host known for his strong views.

Here is a look at who he is and why his comments are being discussed.

A familiar but controversial voice

Michael Savage is a political commentator and radio host in the United States. He runs a podcast called Savage Nation, where he speaks on politics, immigration and social issues.

He is known for speaking in a direct and often aggressive tone. His opinions, especially on immigration, have often led to controversy.

What sparked the current controversy?

In a recent podcast episode, Savage spoke about birthright citizenship in the US. While doing so, he made offensive remarks about India and China.

He said, “A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring in their entire family from China, or India, or some other hell-hole on the planet.”

He also claimed immigrants are “gangsters with laptops” and added they have “done more damage to this nation than all the mafia families put together.”

His argument on US citizenship laws

Savage questioned the system where anyone born in the US automatically becomes a citizen. He argued that this rule is being misused.

He referred to what he called “birth tourism” and questioned whether old laws still match modern times. He said:

“The Constitution was written before air travel... how relevant are some of these arguments when people are coming here by airplane in the ninth month of their pregnancy.”

He also suggested that the issue should be decided by public voting instead of courts.

Why it is trending now

The remarks gained wider attention after Donald Trump shared the podcast clip and its transcript online. This comes at a time when birthright citizenship is already being debated in the US.

India’s reaction

India initially responded cautiously. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said, “We have seen some reports. That is where I leave it.”

However, as the controversy grew, the response became more direct. The MEA later said it had taken note of both the remarks and the statement issued by the US Embassy in response.

The spokesperson described the comments as “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.” He also said that such remarks do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which, he emphasised, has been built over time on mutual respect and shared interests.

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