Trump Shares PM Modi’s Podcast With Lex Fridman On His Truth Social Platform
US President Donald Trump has shared Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-hour podcast with US-based podcaster and AI researcher Lex Fridman on his Truth Social platform.
The post, seen as an endorsement of the Indian leader, came on Monday morning (India time). Trump, who shares a warm relationship with Modi, met the Prime Minister last month during the latter’s visit to the White House. The two leaders had a cordial chat, wherein Trump called Modi a “tough negotiator”.
During the conversation at Fridman’s podcast, PM Modi opened up about his friendship with Trump, lauding his “humility” and “resilience” and noting that he seems “far more prepared” as compared to his first term as the US President.
PM Modi said that even after there was an assassination bid on him during the campaigning for the presidential elections last year, Trump showed no fear and “remained unwaveringly dedicated to America”.
“His life was for his nation. His reflection showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in nation first. I stand for India first and that’s why we connect so well. These are the things that truly resonate,” he said during the conversation with Fridman.
Here’s What PM Modi Said On Trump
During the podcast, the Prime Minister also recalled the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston, where he and Trump addressed a packed stadium. Modi recalled how the President had walked with him into a crowd of thousands without even asking for security.
“In American life, it’s almost impossible for the President to walk into a crowd of thousands, but without even a moment’s hesitation, he (Trump) agreed and started walking with me. His entire security detail was thrown off guard, but for me that moment was truly touching,” he said.
He added: “It showed me that this man had courage. He makes his own decisions, but also he trusted me and my lead in that moment enough to have walked with me into the crowd. It was that sense of mutual trust, a strong bond between us that I truly witnessed on that day and the way I saw President Trump that day walking into a crowd of thousands without even asking security, it was truly amazing.”
Recalling his first meeting with Trump, the PM said, “The very moment I stepped into the White House, he broke all formal protocols right away. 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.”
The Prime Minister said his closeness and trust with Trump “remained unshaken” even after Joe Biden came to power. But, Trump always referred to him as a friend, even in front of others, he added. “Whenever someone we both knew met him, and this must have happened dozens of times, he would say, ‘Modi is my friend, convey my regards.’ That kind of gesture is rare.”
PM Modi’s Meeting With Trump
Prime Minister Modi and President Trump met in the Oval Office in February to hold wide-ranging talks on trade and defence, where Trump described the former as a “tough negotiator”.
When asked about Trump’s statement, Modi said, “It is very kind of him that he openly appreciates me on various occasions and in different contexts. But when it comes to negotiations, I always put my country’s interests first. That’s why in every forum, I speak up for India’s interest, not to harm anyone but in a positive manner and because of that, no one takes offence.”
PM Modi was welcomed by Trump at the Oval Office with a warm hug in their first meeting since the new government took office in the US. As the two leaders met, Trump described Prime Minister Modi as a “great friend” for a long time.