WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reposted a letter from conservative radio host Michael Savage attacking birthright citizenship and describing India and China as “hellholes”, escalating his administration’s campaign to end automatic citizenship for children born on American soil.
The post, shared by Trump on his social media platform, reproduced Savage’s claims that migrants “come here and drop a baby in the ninth month… and then bring in all the ancestors from India,” warning that retaining birthright citizenship would turn the United States into an “unrecognisable cesspool”.
US Prez Donald Trump just reposted radio host Michael Savage’s savage rant blasting birthright citizenship. Savage calls China & India straight-up “hellholes”—claiming migrants “drop a baby” on US soil for instant citizenship, then chain in their families. Slams Indian/Chinese… pic.twitter.com/3mrlvA0grE
— RB. (@rahul4bisht) April 23, 2026
Savage’s letter also referred to Indian and Chinese technology workers as “gangsters with laptops” who were “robbing American jobs” and “stepping on our flag”. It criticised the Supreme Court and the American Civil Liberties Union, and called for a national referendum on the issue.
The post shared by Trump originated from an X account, @rahul4bisht, and circulated widely on Wednesday.
It may be added here that President Trump signed an executive order on his first day back in office in January 2025 directing federal agencies not to recognise citizenship for children born in the US unless at least one parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident. The administration argues the 14th Amendment was not intended to cover children of those in the country illegally or on temporary visas, saying they are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States.
Multiple federal judges have blocked the order. The US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit recently denied the administration’s request to pause a nationwide injunction. A final ruling from the Supreme Court is expected by late June or early July.
Birthright citizenship is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment, which states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” The Supreme Court held in the 1898 case *United States v. Wong Kim Ark* that the provision applies to virtually all children born on US soil, regardless of parental immigration status.
Trump has previously claimed the US is “the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen”. Fact-checkers note that more than 30 countries, including Canada and Mexico, provide automatic citizenship to people born on their territory.
Reaction:
Legal scholars and civil rights groups dispute the administration’s interpretation. Senator Peter Welch said the executive order, if enforced, would create “immense uncertainty” for millions and “unwind the citizenship of the nation”.
Advocates for Asian American communities said Savage’s characterisation of India and China as “hellholes” and his remarks about tech workers risked stoking xenophobia. Indian and Chinese immigrants make up a significant portion of the US skilled workforce, particularly in technology and healthcare.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the president endorsed the specific language used in Savage’s letter.
