 "‘Courage, dedication:’ PM Modi showers praise on Trump, lauds his resilience after assassination attempt")
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke highly of US President Donald Trump during a podcast with Lex Fridman, an American AI researcher, as he recalled his 2019 “Howdy Modi” event in Houston. PM Modi lauded Trump for his immense courage, saying he was committed to making America great even after being shot at a political rally in Pennsylvania last year.
An unusual request
PM Modi recalled how at the Howdy Modi event, he approached Trump and requested him to walk around the stadium to greet attendees, most of whom were members of the flourishing Indian diaspora in US.
“I went to him to thank him, and casually said that if you don’t mind why don’t we take a lap around the stadium,” PM Modi said. “There are so many people here, let’s walk, wave, and greet them,” he added.
PM Modi acknowledged that such a request was unusual as presidents in the US enjoy strict security protocols.
But Trump agreed to it without hesitation, PM Modi said, shocking his security details.
“His entire security detail was thrown off guard,” he said. “But for me, that moment was touching. It showed his courage,” he added.
PM Modi on Trump’s assassination attempt
PM Modi compared himself to Donald Trump while discussing last year’s assassination attempt on the Republican leader.
“When Trump was shot during a recent campaign before the US elections, I saw the same resilient and determined President Trump, the one who walked hand in hand with me in that stadium,” PM said. “Even after being shot, he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life is for his nation. His reflection showed his America first spirit, just as I believe in India first. I stand for India First, and that’s why we connect so well. These are the things that truly resonate,” he added.
This marks PM Modi’s second podcast appearance. Last month, he was featured in a conversation with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath.
PM Modi’s first visit to Trump White House
PM Modi also recalled how Trump broke away from protocols right away when he visited the White House for the first time.
“When I visited him in the White House for the first time, there was already a lot written about President Trump in the media. At that time, he was still new to office, and the world had a rather different perception of him. Even I had been briefed in many different ways before meeting him. But to my surprise, the very moment I stepped into the White House, he broke all formal protocols right away,” said PM Modi.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“And then, he personally took me on a tour of the White House. As he showed me around, I noticed something striking, he wasn’t holding any notes, or cue cards, nor was anyone accompanying him to assist. He pointed things out himself,” said PM Modi.
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