During a Thanksgiving call with U.S. troops, former U.S. President Donald Trump made comments that drew attention. In the conversation, a service member referenced their unit, the “Mohawks,” and its “chop” motto, referring to the tomahawk gesture. Trump responded by discussing how political correctness affects the use of Native American-related terms and traditions.
Trump stated, “You’re not allowed to use the word ‘Indian’ anymore. The only ones that want you to use it are the Indians. I will never tell you to change.” His use of the word “Indian” referred to Native Americans. He also made a pun suggesting that perhaps even people from India want the word used, adding irony to the moment. Trump expressed support for keeping traditional terminology, saying it’s “great.”
The term “Indian” originates from a historical mistake by Christopher Columbus in 1492, who wrongly believed he had reached India, when in fact he had arrived in the Americas. As a result, he called the Indigenous peoples “Indians.”
Today, opinions on the term vary. Some Native American community members still use it, while others consider it outdated or offensive. Trump’s comments reignited this ongoing conversation about language, tradition, and political correctness in reference to Indigenous cultures.
