Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
PM Modi predicted Donald Trump’s win in US Presidential Polls.
Fact
2019 remarks by PM Modi shared out of context.
Republican candidate Donald Trump won the elections for the 47th US President on Wednesday. Soon after, several social media users shared a video of PM Modi with the US President Elect claiming that he had predicted Trump’s win in the recently concluded polls.
In the 25-second-long-video, Prime Minister Modi is heard saying, “Friends, we in India have connected well with President Trump. The words, the words of candidate Trump – Abki baar Trump sarkar.”
Multiple X and Facebook users, including verified handles, shared the video claiming, “Modi ji had already predicted this. Abki baar Trump sarkar.” Newschecker, however, found that the video is old, unrelated to the recent US Presidential Poll results.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Old, Unrelated Video Of Nancy Pelosi Shared As Her Reaction To Trump’s Victory
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “PM Modi,” and “Abki baar Trump sarkar” on Google led us to a report by NDTV, dated September 23, 2019. Carrying a longer version of the viral clip, it stated, “The camaraderie between India and the US was on flamboyant display as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Donald Trump at the mega show in Houston today and deftly reminded the 50,000 Indians in attendance about how India connected with him. “
Around 5:30 minutes in the video, PM Modi is seen making the remarks featured in the viral footage.
We also found a YouTube video by the BJP from September 22, 2019 featuring the Prime Minister’s address in Houston. “PM Modi presents Friend of India, President Donald Trump, to the historic #HowdyModi in Houston, Texas,” its description stated.
At the counters of 6:34 minutes, we spotted the viral clip of PM Modi saying, “Abki baar Trump sarkar.”
Prime Minister Modi had addressed “Howdy Modi,” an Indian community event, at NRG stadium in Houston, Texas during his US visit in September 2019. The then-US President Donald Trump had also attended the same.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had later clarified that PM Modi did not use the phrase ‘Abki baar Trump sarkar’ to endorse the Republican candidate for the 2020 US Presidential Polls.
Also Read: Deepfake Videos Of Elon Musk Endorsing Cryptocurrency Go Viral
“I think, please, look very carefully at what the prime minister said. My recollection of what the prime minister said was that candidate Trump had used this. So, the PM is talking about the past… I mean, he (Modi) was pretty clear, what he was talking about. He was saying, this is what you said as a candidate, which showed that you were trying to, (connect with India and its people even as a candidate),” Jaishankar reportedly said during a visit to Washington DC.
Adding, “We have a very nonpartisan (approach to domestic US politics). So, our sort of approach to whatever happens in this country is their politics, not our politics.”
During his 2016 Presidential run, Trump had said “Abki baar Trump sarkar” in a campaign ad.
Trump Lost 2020 US Presidential Polls
Democrat Joe Biden had won the election for the 46th US President in November 2020 by defeating the then-incumbent POTUS, Trump with a clear majority. Biden had secured 306 electoral votes, while Trump had won 232.
Did PM Endorse Trump Ahead of Polls?
Trump had earlier announced that PM Modi will meet him during his US visit in September this year. However, the meeting never happened.
Though PM Modi congratulated “friend” Donald Trump on his “spectacular victory,” we did not find any official statement by him endorsing the Republican for the 2024 US Presidential Polls.
Conclusion
Hence, old remarks by PM Modi have been shared out of context to claim that he predicted Trump’s win in the 2024 US Presidential Polls.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
YouTube Video By NDTV, Dated September 23, 2019
YouTube Video By BJP, Dated September 22, 2019
Report By Hindustan Times, Dated October 1, 2019
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
