Lead

New Delhi's iconic autorickshaws, usually adorned with advertisements for local clinics and language courses, are now carrying a new passenger: the face of US President Donald Trump. As part of a campaign marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, the US embassy in India has sponsored vehicle covers featuring Trump's portrait and the US flag, with slogans like "Happy Birthday America!" and "250 years old."

The initiative, launched last month by US Ambassador Sergio Gor, aims to celebrate the US milestone in a city where three-wheeled taxis are a ubiquitous mode of transport. According to the US embassy in New Delhi, "thousands of tuk-tuks currently in circulation will be sponsored to showcase messages celebrating America's 250th birthday," as reported by Dawn. The South China Morning Post noted that about 100 autorickshaws with large images of Trump and the Statue of Liberty have appeared across the Indian capital in recent weeks.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the campaign has been consistent across multiple outlets. The New York Times focused on the visual spectacle, describing how Trump's portrait "glare[s] at people from the back of dozens of three-wheeled, motorized rickshaws." Dawn highlighted the scale of the initiative, quoting the embassy's statement about sponsoring thousands of tuk-tuks. The South China Morning Post emphasized the campaign's role in a broader US push to mark the 250th anniversary, with celebrations and public outreach planned in several countries.

There is a minor discrepancy in the reported number of vehicles: Dawn quotes the embassy as saying "thousands" will be sponsored, while the South China Morning Post mentions around 100 vehicles currently carrying the images. The New York Times says "dozens, possibly hundreds" have hit the roads, with about half featuring Trump and the rest the Statue of Liberty. These figures may reflect different stages of the rollout.

Key Claims

  • The US embassy is providing vehicle covers with Trump's face and the US flag for autorickshaws in New Delhi, according to Dawn and the New York Times.
  • The campaign was launched by US Ambassador Sergio Gor to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, as reported by all three sources.
  • The embassy announced the initiative on social media with the post "Freedom is on the move … literally!" — a claim carried by the New York Times and South China Morning Post.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India on Saturday, according to Dawn and the New York Times. The visit is seen as linked to the broader celebrations.

Perspectives

The campaign has drawn mixed reactions from New Delhi residents. Sunidhi Katiyar, a dietitian, told the New York Times, "I'm not into politicians, or any of this," while adding she would be glad if drivers benefit. Drivers themselves appear pragmatic: Md. Tayemkhan told the New York Times he waited hours near the US embassy to get a banner and was paid about $16. Tushar, a worker fitting the covers, told AFP he earns around 50 rupees (roughly half a dollar) per installation and often sweetens the deal with a packet of tea.

Dawn noted that the campaign comes at a time when India has been hit by fuel disruptions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, though this claim was only reported by that outlet and has not been independently verified. The New York Times and South China Morning Post did not mention this context, focusing instead on the campaign's novelty.

As the US marks its 250th anniversary, the autorickshaw campaign is just one element of a larger public diplomacy effort. With Rubio's upcoming visit, the initiative underscores the importance the US places on its relationship with India, even as some locals remain indifferent to the political branding on their streets.