Advertising Campaign Featuring Trump Hits New Delhi

In the bustling streets of New Delhi, auto-rickshaws bearing the face of U.S. President Donald Trump have become a new sight. Alongside Trump’s image is the message, “Happy Birthday America!”

These rickshaws number around 100, featuring large posters of Trump and the Statue of Liberty. This visual campaign distinctly contrasts with the usual advertisements for fertility clinics, language courses, and herbal medicines that typically adorn these vehicles.

This campaign is part of a larger initiative to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The U.S., spearheaded by Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India, has launched celebrations, cultural events, and public outreach in multiple countries.

The U.S. Embassy highlighted the campaign on social media, saying, “Freedom is on the move … literally!” They encouraged residents to spot the rickshaws by saying, “Catch them if you can — they’ll be popping up all over Delhi soon.”

This initiative follows efforts to repair the rift in U.S.-India relations caused by tariff disputes under Trump’s policies. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit New Delhi shortly.

Despite its presence, the campaign holds little significance for many drivers. Ganesh Kumar, one driver whose rickshaw displays a Trump poster, was initially hesitant. “I told them I didn’t want it,” he shared. He eventually accepted the offer when organizers promised him a packet of tea.

Another driver, Pradeep Kumar, agreed to use the poster since it covered the peeled canopy of his vehicle. He admitted his knowledge about the advertisement was limited, stating, “I know he is Trump. Don’t know much other than that.”