'Mother worked as public school teacher, father as engineer': Indian-origin US Rep Ami Bera reacts to Trump's anti-India rant on Truth Social

While US President Donald Trump and Indian PM Narendra Modi may have what can be described as a 'strong friendship', it seems the Republican leader harbours extreme prejudice against Indians internally. On Wednesday, Trump posted a 4-page screed, apparently a transcription of remarks from conservative podcast host Michael Savage that denounced the US constitutional right to citizenship for everyone born in the country.


The post accused Indian-Americans in the tech industry of deliberately not hiring white, native Americans as they practice systemic bias in employment and immigration systems, while also alleging that the Indian immigrants lacked English proficiency. It also said that the current interpretations of birthright citizenship allow migrants to "bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet."


The post received criticism from numerous Indian-Americans across the globe. Congressman Ami Bera, a Democrat who is also the longest serving Indian-American in Congress took to X to react to the President's post while revealing that he, too, is a son of immigrant parents.


In a post that has widely gained traction on the platform, Bera said he takes great pride in his heritage and the country that gave his family the opportunity to build a better life. "My parents came to the United States legally in search of that opportunity," he wrote.


"My mother spent 35 years working as a public school teacher. My father worked as an engineer. They instilled in my brothers and me a deep belief in hard work, public service, and giving back to the country that welcomed them," he added.


Calling himself a product of that American story, he recounted his journey from California's public schools to medical school, becoming a doctor and serving the nation in Congress. "That is what the American Dream looks like."


Bera, who represents California's 6th Congressional District called Trump's remarks on India "offensive, ignorant and beneath the dignity of the office he holds." He added that America has always been a nation strengthened by generations of immigrants who don't weaken but strengthen it.


"America was built by people from all over the world who believed in its promise and worked tirelessly to make it better for the next generation. That’s the story of my family, and it’s the story of millions of families across our nation," he wrote.


Moreover, he said the President, who was born to wealth and privilege, has never had to struggle the way immigrant families have. "He does not understand the grit, sacrifice, and determination it takes to build a life from the ground up. He does not understand public service, and he does not understand the values that make America the greatest nation in the world. We are a nation of immigrants, and we are stronger because of it," he added.


Trump's comments caused much fire, with the flames even reaching India. The country's foreign ministry called Trump's post "obviously uninformed, inappropriate & in poor taste."


Moreover, the Hindu American Foundation also took to X to call Trump's rant a "hateful, racist screed" that stoked hatred and endangered Indian communities at a time when xenophobia and racism are at an "all-time high."


Previously, Trump severely cracked down on immigration by updating the H-1B visa policy and hiking its fee to $100,000. He also maintained major tariffs on India for months. His moves have been in contrast to those of previous American presidents who have made efforts to build stronger relations with India, as opposed to American rival China.