Texas Congressman Brandon Gill is facing severe online backlash after he made a controversial comment directed at Indian-origin New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. The Republican lawmaker criticized Mamdani for eating rice with his hands in a resurfaced video and suggested that he should “go back to the Third World.”
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Gill wrote, “Civilised people in America don’t eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.” His comment came in response to a 2023 video where Mamdani is seen eating rice with his hands during an interview with Uncivilised Media.
The statement quickly drew criticism from social media users who pointed out the cultural insensitivity and hypocrisy of Gill’s remark.
Internet Users Call Out Hypocrisy
Many were quick to note that Gill is married to Danielle D’Souza, the Indian-origin daughter of right-wing commentator Dinesh D’Souza. Users unearthed photos showing Dinesh D’Souza eating with his hands and even mocked Gill with pictures of him eating pizza and hot dogs with his bare hands.
One X user sarcastically asked, “How do you eat tacos, french fries, burgers etc? Do you eat Lays with a fork too?” Another user wrote, “We need to send you back first then,” posting photos of Gill eating finger foods.
Danielle D’Souza Defends Her Husband
Gill’s wife, Danielle D’Souza Gill, supported his stance. Taking to X, she wrote, “I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork. I was born in America. I’m a Christian MAGA patriot. My father’s extended family lives in India and they are also Christian and they use forks too.”
Zohran Mamdani’s recent victory against Andrew Cuomo in the NYC Democratic primary has made him a target for Republicans. Some, including former President Donald Trump, have even called for his deportation.
The video that sparked the controversy features Zohran Mamdani stating, “When you grow up as someone, especially in the Third World, you have a very different understanding of the Palestinian struggle. It is one that is framed in terms of empathy and solidarity.”
MAGA Activists Add Fuel to the Fire
MAGA activist Laura Loomer also joined the attack, writing, “Honestly, being an Islamist and a Communist was enough for me to not want @ZohranKMamdani in office. He is from Africa. And you can tell in the way he eats. Disgusting.”
She continued, “@ZohranKMamdani eats his food and licks his fingers with his right hand. We already know what he does with the left hand as a ‘third worlder’. You don’t want to shake either hand.”
Loomer also accused Mamdani of hypocrisy, referencing his anti-billionaire stance while allegedly living in a $2 million condo owned by his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair.