Zohran Mamdani Faces Right-Wing Backlash Over Resurfaced Video of Him Eating With Hands
American Congressman Brandon Gill has landed in controversy after his recent comment targeting Indian-origin Democrat Zohran Mamdani went viral.
Gill, a Republican from Texas, sparked outrage after he posted that Mamdani should “go back to the Third World” for eating rice with his hands in an old video.
“Civilised people in America don’t eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World,” Gill wrote on X.
His remarks quickly triggered criticism online, especially as many pointed out his close family ties to India through his wife, Danielle D’Souza, the daughter of right-wing commentator Dinesh D’Souza.
Internet Slams Gill for Hypocrisy
Social media users were quick to highlight the hypocrisy in Gill’s statement. Several old pictures surfaced online showing Gill’s father-in-law, Dinesh D’Souza, eating with his hands.
An X user responded, “How do you eat tacos, french fries, burgers etc? Do you eat Lays with a fork too?”
Another user posted a photo of Dinesh D’Souza eating with his hands, adding, “Hello Civilised person from America. Here’s your father-in-law Dinesh D’Souza ‘eating like this’.”
Another viral post showed Gill himself enjoying pizza and a hot dog with his hands. The user wrote, “We need to send you back first then.”
Despite the criticism, Gill’s wife Danielle D’Souza Gill supported his comments.
She posted on X, “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. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Mamdani’s Viral Video Sparks Debate
The viral video of Zohran Mamdani, which triggered Gill’s remarks, was recorded in 2023 during an interview with Uncivilised Media. It showed Mamdani eating rice with his hands, a tradition widely practised in South Asian cultures.
In the video, Mamdani, speaking about his background, said, “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.”
Following his unexpected victory against Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s Democratic primary, Mamdani has faced criticism from Republicans, with some even calling for his deportation.
US President Donald Trump also threatened to cut federal funds to New York City if Mamdani does not “toe the line” after becoming mayor.
MAGA Activist Joins the Attack
MAGA activist Laura Loomer also attacked Mamdani over the viral eating video.
She wrote, “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. My dogs are cleaner and more civilised when they eat than little Muhammad.”
Loomer further targeted Mamdani, writing, “@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.”
She also accused Mamdani, who lives in a $2 million Chelsea condo owned by his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, of being a “rich nepo baby” who pretends to fight billionaires.
Gill Faces Heat Over Indian Family Ties
As the controversy grew, social media users pointed to Brandon Gill’s Indian family connections, questioning his remarks.
A British-American journalist posted a photo of Gill with his Indian-origin wife Danielle and father-in-law Dinesh D’Souza, writing, “Brandon Gill’s father-in-law Dinesh D’Souza was born and raised in India and has definitely eaten with his hands. Is he going to ask his father-in-law to leave the US too?”
Another viral post showed Gill’s in-laws at a restaurant, eating with their hands. “If you’re gonna be a giant racist douche against Indians, don’t go marrying an Indian,” the user captioned the photo.
Danielle D’Souza Gill Defends Her Husband
Despite the criticism, Danielle D’Souza Gill defended her husband, clarifying that she has always used cutlery.
“I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork,” she wrote, adding that her Christian family in India also uses forks.
She rejected the suggestion that her Indian heritage contradicts her husband’s remarks.
Zohran Mamdani’s Political Rise
Zohran Mamdani, 33, is the son of Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair. A self-declared socialist, he recently defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the city’s mayoral primary.
If Mamdani wins the general election, he would become New York’s first Muslim mayor.
