The US State Department deleted a social media post featuring Rubio’s response on racist question just hours after the exchange went viral online during his visit to New Delhi.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is currently on a four-day visit to India, said that every country has “stupid people” who make “dumb comments” online, while responding to questions on Sunday, 24th May, about racist remarks targeting Indians and Indian-Americans in the United States.
US State Dept deletes X post featuring WION question to Rubio on racism against Indians
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) May 24, 2026
Reported by colleague AjayPal Chowdhury:https://t.co/wKeG88tJ1A
State Department deletes post after press conference exchange
The now-deleted post on X had highlighted a question asked by WION Journalist Sidhant Sibal during a joint media briefing attended by Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The post quoted Rubio saying, “I’m sure there are people who have made dumb comments because every country has stupid people. I’m sure there are stupid people here. I don’t know what else to tell you other than that the US is a very welcoming country.”
Rubio also said that the United States had benefited greatly from immigrants, including Indians.
“Our nation has been enriched by people who come to our country and become Americans, have assimilated into our way of life, and have contributed greatly,” he added.
The remarks came after US President Donald Trump himself shared a controversial Truth Social post that included derogatory remarks about India.
Foreign journalists also questioned Rubio on racism issue
After the initial exchange, several other journalists, including foreign media reporters, also questioned Rubio on the issue during the interaction.
Responding again, Rubio said online platforms were filled with people making “crazy stuff” and “stupid” remarks all the time.
“The bottom line is that in the modern era, you go online, and there are people saying all kinds of crazy stuff online. I don’t even know if they’re real people or who they are,” Rubio said.
#WATCH | Delhi: On racist remarks against Indian Americans in the United States, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, "…The bottom line is that in the modern era, you go online, and there are people saying all kinds of crazy stuff online. I don't even know if they're real… pic.twitter.com/ZOLWUGL9lz
— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2026
He also attempted to reassure India about the Trump administration’s position on bilateral ties. “The President loves India. The President is a big fan of India, a big fan of Prime Minister Modi. I wouldn’t be here if the President didn’t want me to be here,” Rubio said. He further added, “People say stupid stuff all the time on social media and in every country in the world, unfortunately.”
