Mumbai-born author Salman Rushdie has given his endorsement to Kamala Harris’s presidential bid, asserting that she is the key to preventing former President Donald Trump from steering the country towards authoritarianism. Rushdie shared his support during a virtual ‘South Asian Men for Harris’ event, which drew prominent figures from the Indian-American community, including lawmakers, authors, and entrepreneurs.
“It’s a pivotal moment,” Rushdie said. “As a boy from Bombay, it’s inspiring to see an Indian woman running for the White House. My wife is African-American, so we are particularly pleased to see a Black and Indian woman in the race.”
Harris, 59, has become the presumptive Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race on July 20. She is anticipated to be officially nominated by the Democrats next month.
Rushdie, the 77-year-old British-American novelist, emphasized that Harris’s candidacy represents more than just ethnic diversity. “Ethnicity alone isn’t the reason for our support. We wouldn’t have gathered for figures like Usha Vance or Nikki Haley,” he noted, referring to other Indian-American politicians.
Rushdie highlighted the transformative shift in American politics since Harris announced her candidacy, describing it as a movement towards optimism and forward-thinking. “We cannot allow the alternative—an individual without noble qualities dragging the country towards authoritarianism,” he stated, alluding to Trump.
Confident in Harris’s potential, Rushdie praised her charisma and suggested that her appeal could be crucial in the upcoming election. “Trump may no longer be the star he once was. Kamala, on the other hand, brings a fresh, vibrant energy to the campaign,” he said.
Addressing concerns about Harris’s chances due to her heritage, Rushdie argued that attitudes have evolved significantly in recent years. “The perception of women’s leadership and racial diversity has changed positively. There’s absolutely no reason why Kamala Harris shouldn’t win, and win decisively,” he asserted.
With polls showing Harris in a competitive position against Trump, Rushdie urged people to act swiftly. “The election is just 100 days away. We must mobilize, vote, and use every tool at our disposal,” he said.
The event, co-hosted by Digimentors CEO Sree Sreenivasan, featured influential figures like Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, South Asians for Harris co-founder Harini Krishnan, and Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija. Rushdie emphasized the collective power of diverse communities coming together in support of Harris, urging them to remain vigilant and committed as the election approaches.
