Overview
- The senior Democrat says Trump “threw away” 40 years of U.S.-India groundwork because Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not credit him with a Nobel-worthy ceasefire.
- India has been hit with 50% U.S. tariffs, and Trump has repeatedly claimed he forced India and Pakistan to comply by threatening 200% tariffs, while New Delhi says the pause followed a request from Pakistan’s army.
- Emanuel alleges Trump acted out of ego and money from Pakistan, claiming payments reached Trump’s son and the son of Trump aide Steve Witkoff.
- He points to an April 2025 agreement between the Pakistan Crypto Council and a company co-founded by Zach Witkoff, with reports saying Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Jared Kushner hold stakes in the firm.
- Emanuel argues the approach squandered a chance to use India as a counterweight to China, even as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly described India as an ally in efforts to confront Beijing.