From Trump Sharing PM Modi’s Talk with Lex Fridman on Truth Platform to Congress Calling It Pre-Scripted, Podcast Generates Millions of Views

PM Modi’s recent interview with American podcaster, computer scientist, and AI expert Lex Fridman has taken the internet by storm. The three-hour, 17-minute, and 55-second-long podcast covered a wide range of topics but also became a subject of political debate. Internationally, it gained recognition, with even US President Donald Trump sharing it on his social media platform, Truth Social. Meanwhile, in India, the Congress party dismissed the interview as 'pre-scripted.' As the podcast continues to make waves, it has garnered over 1.2 million views, drawing both praise and criticism.

PM Modi on His Friendship with Donald Trump

During the podcast, PM Modi reflected on his relationship with Donald Trump. He recalled an unforgettable moment from the Howdy Modi event in Houston, where both leaders addressed a massive gathering of the Indian diaspora. The podcast, in which PM Modi spoke about his bond with Trump, was also shared by the US President on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Lex Fridman asked PM Modi, “You recently visited the United States and reinvigorated your friendship with Donald Trump. What do you like about Donald Trump as a friend and leader?”

PM Modi responded, “I'd like to share with you an event that stands out in my memory. Perhaps from that, you'll get a better understanding of the point I'm trying to convey. For example, we had an event in Houston, Howdy Modi. Both President Trump and I were there, and the entire stadium was completely packed."

PM Modi further shared an incident that demonstrated Trump’s trust in him, “After finishing my speech, I stepped down. And as we all know, security in the U.S. is extremely strict and thorough. The level of scrutiny there is on a completely different level. I went over to thank him and casually said, 'If you don’t mind, why don’t we take a lap around the stadium? There are so many people here, let’s walk, wave, and greet them.' In American life, it’s almost impossible for the President to walk into a crowd of thousands. But without even a moment’s hesitation, he agreed and started walking with me. His entire security detail was thrown off guard. But for me, that moment was truly touching—it showed me that this man had courage."

PM Modi also spoke about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, praising his resilience, “When he was shot during the recent campaign, I saw the same resilient and determined President Trump. The one who walked hand in hand with me in that stadium. Even after being shot, he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation. His reflection showed his 'America First' spirit, just as I believe in 'Nation First.' I stand for 'India First,' and that’s why we connect so well.”

Congress Calls Podcast 'Pre-Scripted,' Questions Modi’s Intentions

While the podcast received global recognition, it also sparked criticism from the Congress party. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “He who is afraid of facing the media in a press conference has found comfort in a foreign podcaster anchored in the right-wing ecosystem. And he has the gall to say that ‘criticism is the soul of democracy’ when he has systematically gutted every institution that is to hold his government accountable and gone after critics with a vengeance that no one in recent history has matched! Hypo(d)crisy ki koi seema nahi hai.”

Further attacking PM Modi, Ramesh accused him of pandering to Trump and echoing his rhetoric. He said, “Mr. Modi clearly is going out of his way to keep Mr. Trump in good humour. He says international organisations, from which India has benefitted immensely, have become irrelevant. This is the US President's language. In fact, it is Mr. Trump who is doing his best to make them irrelevant, and now Mr. Modi is repeating 'his good friend's' chant. Is the WHO not good for India? Is the WTO not good for India? Is the Paris Agreement on Climate Change not good for India? Has the UN, in spite of all its weaknesses, not provided opportunities for Indian peacekeepers abroad? Multilateralism needs reforms but does not deserve wholesale condemnation of the type President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are indulging in.”

Kerala Congress Questions the Podcast’s Authenticity

The Kerala Congress also joined the criticism, calling the podcast 'pre-scripted' and AI-assisted. The party posted on X: “The Lex Fridman - Modi podcast is out. Fully scripted, as any kid would've guessed. In between the conversation, Fridman says: 'I am not very good at this. I barely know what I am doing, Prime Minister. I am not very good at this.' What does he mean? Was he expressing his frustration of having to do his first pre-scripted and AI-assisted podcast?”

The podcast’s global impact and Trump’s endorsement have made it a major political talking point. While Modi’s supporters hail it as a masterstroke in global outreach, the opposition continues to question its authenticity. As the podcast crosses millions of views, the debate around it shows no signs of slowing down.