Conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza, a well-known ally of former US President Donald Trump, recently faced a disturbing episode of racist abuse from within his own political circles. The incident occurred on October 21 when D'Souza responded to a White House renovation post on X, formerly known as Twitter. A right-wing user, operating under the handle Ribbert, launched a series of virulent insults, calling Indians a "disgusting race of slaves" and attacking D'Souza personally. The remarks shocked the commentator, who described the experience as unprecedented in his four-decade-long career in American politics and media. D'Souza publicly questioned how such hateful language had been legitimized or tolerated within conservative spaces, highlighting a troubling trend of racial animus emerging in MAGA circles.
The abusive messages directed at D'Souza are part of a broader pattern of anti-Indian sentiment within certain right-wing factions. Reports indicate that prominent Indian-American figures associated with or supportive of conservative politics have also been targeted. Among them are FBI Chief Kash Patel and Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The hostility is not limited to social media attacks but has extended to internal communications, with figures like Paul Ingrassia, a White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security, reportedly using racial slurs such as “Dothead Diversity” and making disparaging comments about Indian professionals in group chats. Ingrassia even reportedly warned, “India is the new China” and instructed, “Never trust a Chinaman or Indian…NEVER,” reflecting a deep-seated bias among some individuals within conservative networks.
The rise in anti-Indian rhetoric has also been observed during cultural and religious events, most notably Diwali. Indian-American leaders extending greetings for the festival have faced online trolling and public mockery. For instance, Kash Patel received a wave of derogatory messages after wishing the public a happy Diwali, while Republican leader Nikki Haley was ridiculed for her own festive messages. Far-right pastor Joel Webbon mocked Patel, telling him to “go back to India and worship demons,” illustrating how cultural expressions are being weaponized to target Indian-Americans in political discourse. Analysts note that resentment over H-1B visas and concerns about foreign labor taking American jobs have further fueled these attacks, with some MAGA factions blaming Indian professionals for perceived economic and employment disadvantages.
Dinesh D'Souza, born in Mumbai and raised in Pune before immigrating to the US in 1978, has long been a prominent voice in conservative circles. He served as a domestic policy analyst in the Reagan White House and has authored nearly 20 books and multiple documentaries, establishing himself as a central figure in shaping modern Republican grievance politics. His confrontation with racist abuse underscores a larger challenge for Indian-Americans in conservative politics, where loyalty to a political ideology does not always shield them from racial hostility. The incident has prompted discussions among political commentators and community leaders about the normalization of such rhetoric and the urgent need to confront bigotry within political movements that claim to uphold American values.
Overall, the episode involving D'Souza highlights a growing and concerning trend: anti-Indian sentiment is becoming more visible in segments of MAGA-supporting circles, combining cultural, economic, and racial prejudices. For Indian-Americans engaged in public life or conservative politics, the hostility demonstrates that advocacy and success in these spheres may come with a heightened exposure to targeted discrimination, reflecting broader societal challenges in combating xenophobia and ensuring inclusion within political communities.
