US Leader’s Comment on Zohran Mamdani Eating with Hands Stirs Major Backlash
US leader Brandon Gill is facing widespread criticism after mocking Indian-origin New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for eating rice with his hands in a video. Gill, a Republican lawmaker, posted on social media that “civilized people in America don’t eat like this,” followed by the statement: “If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.” The comment sparked immediate backlash, not only for being racially insensitive but also because Gill’s own wife is of Indian origin.
Danielle D’Souza Gill, the daughter of conservative Indian-American commentator Dinesh D’Souza, attempted to respond to the controversy by distancing herself from the Indian cultural practice. She stated, “I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork. I was born in America. I’m a Christian MAGA patriot.” Her statement, rather than calming the situation, drew more criticism online.
Many pointed out that Danielle’s heritage is South Indian, where eating with hands is a traditional and widely respected cultural norm. Social media users quickly unearthed older pictures of her family, including her father Dinesh D’Souza, eating with their hands, challenging Danielle’s denial and raising concerns over internalized cultural rejection.
US Leader’s Wife Says “I Don’t Eat with Hands” Amid Cultural Insult Row
Brandon Gill’s original comment, seen as not just a personal attack on Mamdani but on Indian cultural practices in general, was slammed across the political spectrum. Critics accused the US leader of hypocrisy for being married into an Indian family while showing disdain for Indian customs. “You married into this culture and still insult it?” one user commented. Another added, “How do you eat fries or tacos then? With a spoon?”
The controversy spilled into wider political discussions as other Indian-origin American public figures became targets of racial rhetoric. GOP politician Vivek Ramaswamy and Usha Vance, wife of Ohio Senator JD Vance, have also faced racist online abuse for embracing aspects of their heritage. Some trolls have equated barefoot interviews or wearing ethnic clothes as being “un-American,” exposing the deep-rooted discomfort in certain circles with multicultural representation in US politics.
Political Divide Deepens as Indian-Origin Americans Face Rising Racist Attacks
Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and New York Assembly member, rose to political prominence after winning his primary. The viral video of him eating with his hands was originally praised by supporters as a natural expression of cultural identity, until it became the target of Gill’s remarks. Since then, Mamdani has been referred to by some as the “Vivek of the Left,” while others labeled Ramaswamy as “Mamdani of the Right” both nicknames used ironically, given their contrasting ideologies.
Despite their political differences, both leaders and even Usha Vance have found themselves caught in a narrative of exclusion fueled by their Indian roots. Vivek Ramaswamy responded to the rising attacks saying, “It’s a shame to watch the race-obsessed fringe of the right try to outdo the race-obsessed woke left.” He reposted a tweet by far-right commentator Nicholas Fuentes, who had ironically urged conservatives to keep the same energy when targeting people like Vivek and Mamdani.
The wave of xenophobic commentary has highlighted a key tension in US politics how to handle cultural diversity when it clashes with traditionalist expectations. While eating with hands is completely normal in many parts of the world, especially South Asia and Africa, it continues to be perceived as “backward” by certain Western commentators. But for many second- and third-generation immigrants in America, holding onto such traditions is an act of identity and pride.
Conclusion:
This clash between cultural expression and political commentary has exposed a rift within both the left and right wings of American politics. As Danielle D’Souza Gill and her husband, a prominent US leader, come under fire, the broader message from citizens remains clear: identity and cultural roots are not something to be mocked they’re part of the very diversity that America claims to stand for.
