WASHINGTON, D.C. Oct 21, 2025 – President Donald Trump hosted a festive Diwali reception in the Oval Office Tuesday, lighting traditional brass lamps alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and a cadre of Indian-American business leaders, only for the event to ignite a firestorm of racist backlash from within his own MAGA base. The gathering, which included Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CEOs from tech giants like Google and Microsoft, celebrated the Hindu festival of lights as a symbol of U.S.-India ties, but Patel’s jubilant social media post quickly became a lightning rod for nativist ire.
In a 48-second video shared by Patel on X—garnering over 100,000 views and 4,200 likes in under 24 hours—the FBI director, dressed in a sharp navy suit, stood beaming beside Trump as the president ignited the diyas amid marigold garlands and American flags. “A real honor to be celebrating Diwali in the Oval Office with @realDonaldTrump—thank you Mr. President for your leadership and hospitality as always,” Patel captioned the clip, capturing the room’s warm glow and chants of holiday greetings. Trump, in his trademark red tie, praised the attendees as “incredible in business” and recounted a recent call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on trade deals and de-escalating tensions with Pakistan.
The event, the first major White House Diwali observance since Trump’s 2025 inauguration, highlighted the administration’s outreach to the influential Indian diaspora—whose members donated over $10 million to his reelection bid. Gabbard, a practicing Hindu who lit lamps alongside Patel, called it a “beautiful Hindu festival” that embodies “good triumphing over evil,” echoing themes of resilience amid the federal shutdown’s fourth week. Indian CEOs, including Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, mingled with administration officials, discussing potential bilateral investments in AI and semiconductors.
The Diwali diplomacy unfolds against a backdrop of domestic strife. With 800,000 federal workers unpaid due to the shutdown—now in its 23rd day—Trump’s focus on international festivities drew Democratic barbs as tone-deaf. House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, defended the president, telling reporters, “Celebrating diverse traditions strengthens our union.” As midterms near, the episode underscores Trump’s tightrope: courting ethnic voters in swing states like Pennsylvania while placating a base wary of globalism.
