Former U.S. President Donald Trump joked about the popularity of the name Mohammad in the Muslim world during a campaign speech on Friday, drawing criticism for what rights advocates called mocking rhetoric.
"You know, if you're in doubt about somebody's name from the Middle East, just say 'Mohammad,'" Trump told a crowd in Dalton, Georgia, according to Reuters. "You have about a 65% chance. 'Hello, Mohammad.' I've done it for years now. I've never been wrong." Mohammad is one of the most common male names among Muslims, who often name their sons after the Prophet of Islam.
Trump made the comment while discussing Iran at a rally for Republican candidates. "Iran is the only country where nobody wants to be president," Trump said, before pretending to ask several people named Mohammad if they wanted the job. Masoud Pezeshkian has served as Iran's president since 2024.
According to the Reuters report, the joke received a muted response from the crowd. Rights advocates and Muslim advocacy groups have repeatedly criticized Trump for rhetoric that they say demonizes and mocks Muslims, immigrants, and ethnic minorities.
He has escalated such language during the midterm campaign season, particularly targeting Somali and Muslim Americans. During the same speech, Trump repeated his vow that Iran would never obtain a nuclear weapon, referencing the war launched by the United States and Israel against Tehran seven months ago.
A report released earlier this year by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) attributed a rise in Islamophobia in the U.S. in part to Trump's policies during his second term, including his crackdown on immigration and pro-Palestinian protests.
Source: Reuters
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