MAGA influencer Elijah Schaffer has sparked outrage for posting racist remarks targeting Abraham George, the Indian-origin chairman of the Texas Republican Party. Schaffer mocked George’s Indian accent and claimed Texas was “turning into Mumbai,” alleging—without evidence—that the Republican Party was facilitating H1B immigration fraud.
MAGA influencer Elijah Schaffer has drawn sharp criticism after posting racist remarks against Abraham George, the Indian-origin chairman of the Texas Republican Party. Schaffer mocked George’s Indian accent and claimed Texas was “turning into Mumbai”, alleging—without evidence—that the Republican Party itself was facilitating what he described as H1B immigration fraud.
“The Texas GOP is led by an Indian with an Indian accent. Now you know why Texas is turning into Mumbai and the centre of H1B immigration fraud. Our own party is orchestrating it, it’s not just the Democrats. Indians are loyal to their race and non-Indian politicians are paid off,” Schaffer wrote on social media.
Growing pattern of racist attacks
The comments have sparked outrage, coming amid a broader pattern of racist attacks against Indian-origin politicians in the United States. While figures such as Vivek Ramaswamy have often faced abuse linked to their Hindu faith, Abraham George is a Christian.
George was elected chairman of the Texas GOP in 2024, a year after losing the Republican primary for Texas’s 89th House district in 2023.
Online backlash after GOP video
Schaffer was not the only individual to target George online after the Texas GOP shared a video of him speaking about gun rights and constitutional freedoms. In the video, George strongly defended the Second Amendment and Texas’ gun laws, framing them as part of the state’s identity.
“God gave you life. God gave you liberty, and God gives the duty to protect both… That’s not a policy, that is Texas DNA,” George said, rejecting red flag laws, magazine bans and waiting periods.
Texas and the Indian-American presence
Texas is home to one of the largest Indian populations in the United States. According to Pew Research, around 570,000 Indian-origin residents live in the state. Nationwide, the Indian-American population stands at about 4.9 million, with large communities also in California, New Jersey, New York and Illinois. Major metropolitan centres include New York, Dallas and San Francisco.
Anti-India rhetoric gains traction online
The episode comes as sections of the American right wing appear to be pushing an increasingly hostile narrative against India. MAGA-linked influencers have amplified anti-India rhetoric on social media, with trade disputes, tariffs and immigration emerging as key flashpoints.
Several conservative voices with large online followings have targeted Indian workers, students and call centres, prompting accusations of racism and hypocrisy.
Tensions amid tariff dispute
The surge in hostile commentary coincides with strained relations between New Delhi and Washington, following Donald Trump’s decision to impose cumulative tariffs of 50 percent on Indian goods, including a levy linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
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