During his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, US President Donald Trump faced an “accent” issue. Trump struggled to understand the pronunciation of an Indian journalist during a press conference and intervened by saying, “I don’t understand a single word you’re saying.” Prior to his meeting with Modi, Trump even arranged for English-to-English translation for a journalist.

US President Donald Trump encountered an “accent” issue during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At the joint press conference with Modi at the White House, Trump answered questions. When an Indian journalist asked a question, Trump first signaled for the journalist to speak louder, but it was not enough. He then asked the journalist to speak louder, yet still couldn’t grasp the words. Trump intervened, saying, “I don’t understand a single word you’re saying.” PRIOR ENGLISH TO ENGLISH TRANSLATION Similar incidents occurred before this meeting. Trump arranged for English-to-English translation when he faced the cameras with Modi before the meeting. Previously, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump had difficulty understanding the English pronunciation of an Afghan journalist. Trump, who did not take the journalist’s question, simply wished them good luck. He remarked, “I’m having a bit of difficulty understanding you. Where are you from? Honestly, it’s a nice voice and a lovely accent, but the only problem is I didn’t understand a single word you said. Good luck, live in peace.”