Trump Praises Modi as “One of the Nicest Guys” but Recognizes His Tough Stance on Security Threats
Washington, 10th October 2024: Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is seeking another term in the White House, praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him one of the “nicest guys” he has ever met, but noted a dramatic shift in Modi’s demeanour when India’s security is threatened.
“Modi… India, he’s a friend of mine, he’s great. Before him, they were replacing them every year, very unstable. On the outside, he looks like your father, the nicest guy, but he’s a total killer,” Trump remarked during an appearance on the Flagrant Podcast, hosted by comedians Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh.
Recalling the 2019 “Howdy Modi” event in Houston, Texas, Trump fondly described the packed stadium that cheered for Modi, calling the experience “beautiful.” He further elaborated on Modi’s strong stance when faced with threats to India, saying, “When someone was threatening India, he would change.”
Turning to Indian-American comedian Akaash Singh, Trump hinted at a specific country Modi had in mind, saying, “I said, ‘Let me help, I am very good with those people.’ He was talking about a certain country; you can probably guess which one.” Trump then recalled Modi’s resolute response, quoting him as saying, “I will do anything necessary, we have defeated them for hundreds of years.”
Surprised by Modi’s firmness, Trump noted, “I said, whoa, what happened there? They are all smart, and he’s a very good person,” praising both Modi and the Indian people.
During Trump’s presidency, he and Modi enjoyed a close relationship, highlighted by major events such as the 2020 “Namaste Trump” rally in Ahmedabad, which took place just weeks before the global COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
