Congress leader and former diplomat Mani Shankar Aiyar expressed disappointment over Donald Trump’s recent victory in the United States presidential election, citing concerns over the character of the returning leader. In a conversation with ANI, Aiyar described Trump as “a man of doubtful character” and voiced unease about his return to one of the most influential roles on the global stage.
Aiyar questioned Trump’s suitability as a leader, pointing to past controversies. “It’s extremely unfortunate that a man with such questionable character has been elected as president of the world’s most powerful democracy,” he commented. Aiyar highlighted Trump’s alleged involvement in the 2016 hush-money case, a scandal that re-emerged in the public eye as the former president faced accusations of falsifying business records.
#WATCH | Delhi: On #USElections2024 results, Former Diplomat Mani Shankar Aiyar says, “I feel extremely sorry that a man of such doubtful character as Donald Trump shouldn’t have been elected the president of the world’s most powerful democracy. I also recognize that there is a… pic.twitter.com/jF2nGf2g1P
— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2024
Expressing further concern, Mani Shankar remarked, “This decision lacks a moral dimension. It’s distressing to see such a leader at the helm of a powerful nation. A leader with such associations doesn’t serve the best interests of his country or the world.”
Alongside his critique of Trump, Mani Shankar expressed regret over Kamala Harris’s electoral defeat, remarking on the historic significance it would have held. Harris, as a Democratic candidate, was positioned to become both the first woman and the first person of Indian descent to hold the office. Aiyar added, “Kamala Harris came up from behind and performed admirably. But deep divisions within American society appear to have worked against her.”
Trump’s return to the presidency marks only the second instance in US history of a non-consecutive presidential term, with the first being Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century. Having served as president from 2016 to 2020, Trump’s current victory over Harris signifies a unique historical milestone.
As the 47th president of the United States, Trump’s victory continues to draw varied responses globally. However, Aiyar’s remarks underscore the broader debate over leadership values and character on the global stage, sparking discourse on the qualities desired in those who lead powerful nations.
