On November 8, 2026, President Donald Trump wished the Indian American community on the occasion of Diwali sending the following message:
“Today, I send my warmest greetings to Americans across our great Nation celebrating Diwali—the Festival of Lights.
During this special time, families gather around flickering diyas, homes shine with the warmth of ancient traditions, and countless communities glow with the beauty of a celebration thousands of years in the making. This Diwali, we observe light’s enduring triumph over the forces of darkness and honor the goodness that lives within each and every one of us—timeless values that have long enriched the great story of America.
To each American celebrating Diwali, may this joyful occasion fill your home with hope and light and your heart with the warmth of those you hold dear.”
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The White House Diwali celebration which took place on Friday, November 6, saw a number of high profile guests including Indian tech entrepreneur Vishal Gondal, Chef Vikas Khanna and others at the Oval Office, an ANI report said. IBM chief executive Arvind Krishna, Micron chief executive Sanjay Mehrotra, FBI Director Kash Patel and Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, were some of the other guests.
During the festivities President Trump participated in a ceremonial diya-lighting and was gifted a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa by Gondal. India’s Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra was also present and shared a gift with the President.
Ambassador Kwatra wrote on X, “Honoured to celebrate Diwali with Hon’ble President Donald Trump at the White House”.
“Grateful for his gesture in marking a festival of deep spiritual significance to India and the Indian diaspora. Wished him health, happiness and prosperity on behalf of the people of India”, Kwatra added.
Gondal, in a post on X.com said, ” Never imagined celebrating Diwali in the Oval Office with President @realDonaldTrump. Thank you for welcoming us. Grateful to be there with the Hanuman Chalisa. A memory I’ll always treasure. Happy Diwali!”
Visuals shared from the event featured the cream-coloured sacred text (Hanuman Chalisa) resting against red fabric, its cover depicting a kneeling Lord Hanuman holding scripture beneath red lettering and lotus motifs, secured with metallic corner protectors.
Group photographs captured attendees dressed in traditional Indian attire and formal suits gathered around the Resolute Desk against a backdrop of gold curtains, flags, telephones and a model aircraft.
The event was not open to the media, but a schedule for the event listed high-profile attendees including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya.
White House Diwali observances trace back to 2003 under the administration of George W. Bush, with Barack Obama becoming the first sitting US president to personally light a ceremonial diya in the East Room in 2009, according to archival records.