Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar triggered a political controversy after commenting on the recent shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, with his remarks being seen by the BJP as an attempt to justify the attack on US President Donald Trump.
Linking the incident to what he described as public anger against those in power, Wadettiwar said such reactions were “bound to happen” when leaders acted against public interest, and went on to claim that a similar mood prevailed in India despite the absence of street protests, prompting criticism from the ruling party.
Wadettiwar on Sunday said, “While he (Trump) was in power, he tried to disrupt every country in order to control the world. He tried to control every country and he said that the whole world is our slave. And he destroyed the US also. He had nothing to do with Iran, yet he attacked. That was bound to happen. Today, Trump has destroyed the whole of America in order to fulfill his plans, in order to fulfill his wishes… Just like it is happening in India. It was bound to happen. The people took to the streets and opposed him.”
He added, “People of America were angry at Trump so he was fired upon. There are no protests here, so the Indian government thinks everything is alright but the mood here is similar.”
#BREAKING | ‘Americans are angry, that’s why Trump was fired upon… the mood here in India is similar’: Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar sparks row with remarks@AnujRayate reports pic.twitter.com/VRtq23MLpT
— NDTV (@ndtv) April 27, 2026
#WATCH | Nagpur, Maharashtra | Speaking on the attack on US President Trump, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar yesterday said, “Jaisi karni waisi bharni. The way he has disturbed each country in the world despite being in the top post…Today, Trump has ruined the US to fulfil his… pic.twitter.com/4dUKuv408s
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2026
The BJP hit out at Wadettiwar over his remarks comparing public anger in India with the mood in the United States, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accusing the Congress of endorsing and justifying political violence.
Shocker from Congress Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar –
Prays and justifies for similar repeat of what happened in US
People of America were angry on Trump so he was fired upon. There are no protests here, so Indian Govt thinks everything is alright but the mood here… pic.twitter.com/F6FPTQSWrm
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Chowkidar as per INC ecosystem) (@Shehzad_Ind) April 27, 2026
Notably, the president, the first lady, and the vice president were moved to safety by Secret Service officials, along with other members of the cabinet. The shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, had arrived at the Washington Hilton carrying three weapons, namely two handguns and a shotgun. He also had a plan, and he had written it all down.
Allen, from Torrance, California, was taken into custody after the shooting incident near the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, which was being attended by Trump and the first lady. He was stopped at a security checkpoint before he could reach the ballroom, where roughly 2,500 guests had gathered.