During a speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, U.S. President Donald Trump drew criticism after mimicking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s accent in a bizarre monologue. While speaking about his relationship with Modi, Trump alternated between praise and mockery, calling him both “the nicest looking guy” and “a killer.” The unscripted imitation left attendees startled and has since stirred controversy across diplomatic circles.
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Trump’s Odd Description of Modi
Speaking before a crowd on Wednesday, Trump began by complimenting the Indian leader’s appearance, saying, “I’ll tell you what, Prime Minister Modi is the nicest looking guy,” before joking that Modi looked like someone “you’d like to have as your father.” Moments later, he shifted his tone completely, describing Modi as “a killer” and “tough as hell.” The contrasting remarks set the stage for what became one of Trump’s most peculiar public impressions of a world leader.
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Awkward Accent Imitation
In a sudden turn, Trump launched into an impersonation of Modi, attempting an exaggerated Indian accent while reenacting what he claimed were the prime minister’s words during negotiations. “No, we will fight!” he said, mimicking Modi’s tone in an animated performance. Reflecting on his own impression, Trump exclaimed, “I said, ‘Whoa, is that the same man that I know?’” The mimicry, delivered before foreign dignitaries, was met with mixed reactions—some laughter, others discomfort.
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Boastful Claims on India-Pakistan Conflict
Trump used the moment to once again credit himself for ending a four-day armed conflict between India and Pakistan. He claimed that his threat of economic retaliation forced both nations to back down. “I said I was going to put 250 percent tariffs on each country,” Trump declared. “That’s a nice way of saying we don’t want to do business with you… and they understood that and within 48 hours we had no war.”
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Contrasting Himself With Biden
The president then compared his supposed diplomatic prowess to that of his predecessor, asserting that no one else could have achieved such results. “You think Biden would have done that? I don’t think so,” Trump said. “Most people wouldn’t have thought of it, but you know.” His remarks drew applause from a portion of the audience, while others appeared visibly uneasy over the cultural mockery.
Indian Officials Reject Trump’s Version
Indian officials have repeatedly denied Trump’s claims of personally mediating the 2025 border flare-up. According to diplomatic sources, New Delhi viewed the remarks as misleading and self-promotional. Reports even suggested that Modi skipped a previous international summit to avoid another encounter in which Trump might retell the same boastful narrative about “saving” South Asia from war.
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Summit Overshadowed by Controversy
What was meant to be a speech focused on economic cooperation quickly became a spectacle dominated by Trump’s off-the-cuff remarks. His impersonation of Modi added fuel to criticism that the U.S. president’s unpredictable style often undermines diplomatic decorum. Analysts noted that such performances, though intended as humor, risk alienating key partners in the Indo-Pacific region at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.
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Reactions and Diplomatic Ripples
The incident has stirred debate among both American and Indian commentators. While Trump’s supporters brushed it off as “typical humor,” many foreign policy experts described the imitation as “undignified” and “tone-deaf.” The White House has yet to respond to inquiries about whether Trump’s remarks were coordinated with his diplomatic team. For now, the controversy underscores how one improvised moment can ripple through international relations.