Trump’s India election blunder: US President appears to confuse India with Brazil
US President Donald Trump has sparked confusion after referring to a presidential election in India that did not take place, apparently mixing up India with Brazil.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that 125 million people had voted in the first round of an Indian presidential election and that the results were announced on the same day.
India, however, does not elect its President through a direct vote by the public. The President is chosen by an electoral college comprising elected representatives, and there was no such election in India on the day Trump referred to.
The comments appeared to be a reference to Brazil, where voters went to the polls in a closely watched presidential election. The contest is headed for a runoff after neither of the leading candidates secured the required majority.
The Brazilian runoff is scheduled for October 25, with the next president due to begin the new term in January 2027.
Trump subsequently turned his attention to the US electoral system, making claims about delays in counting votes and alleging that elections in America are corrupt.
The US midterm elections are set to determine control of Congress for the remaining years of Trump’s presidency, besides deciding numerous state-level positions.