‘Found my American dream’: Rep Shri Thanedar hits back at Dinesh D’Souza’s ‘waiter in India’ jibe

Representative Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan) served a sharp blow to right-wing commentator Dinesh D’Souza, turning his sneering jibe into a “celebration of American dream.”
“I did grow up in India. My dad was a clerk. Then I found my American Dream,” Thanedar said, after D’Souza claimed he’d be nothing more than a “municipal clerk or waiter” had he stayed in India, and argued that he only succeeded in the US because of diversity initiatives.
Earlier, on Tuesday, D’Souza took to X, and declared, “If this guy (Thanedar) lived in India, he would be a municipal clerk or waiter. Here he thrives because of “diversity.” On the Left, his broken English and semi-illiterate solecisms are seen as positive traits.”
“We need fewer people like him in this country,” he added.
Thanedar firmly responded, “I did grow up in India. My dad was a clerk. Then I found my American Dream. Now I’m helping many other Americans achieve their dreams.”
“If you need help recovering from your felony, please let me know. Happy to help,” he added.
Respoonding to the same, Thanedar’s son, Neil Thanedar said, “That’s my dad. He did live in India as a kid. Then he worked multiple jobs while graduating college by 18, then made it to America, then started multiple businesses, then employed hundreds of Americans, then became a US Congressman. Meanwhile, you’re just a felon.”
In a separate post, Dinesh D’Souza doubled down on his attack, sneering, “I gave too much of my own money to a college friend running for office. That’s what you want to help me “recover” from? Compare what I did to what you did.”
His remark was a pointed reference to his past campaign finance violation. Thanedar fired back, saying, “Conservatives will attack my race, appearance, and accent in order to distract from Trump’s crimes.”
The jab—laced with mockery of Thanedar’s immigrant background and language—quickly gained traction among D’Souza’s followers, many of whom echoed the sentiment online.
Thanedar was also trolled on social media after he introduced seven articles of impeachment against US President Donald Trump.
The Michigan Democratic Congressman submitted the first impeachment articles of this administration just before Trump’s 100-day milestone.
This represents the first formal impeachment attempt by a House Democrat this year against the president or his administration members.
Despite the Republican House majority making success unlikely, MAGA supporters responded with discriminatory comments about his appearance and Indian heritage.
“Dude you can’t even speak English,” one user said. “Impeach your wigmaker,” a right-wing account posted.
“You should be deported,” wrote another.
Who is Rep Shri Thanedar?
Thanedar currently serves as the US representative for Michigan’s 13th congressional district, a position he has held since 2023.
Prior to this role, he was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023. His political career also includes his participation as a candidate in Michigan’s 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary election.
Who is Dinesh D’Souza?
D’Souza, after his birth in Bombay in 1961, he rose through American conservative ranks during the Reagan administration, but faced serious legal troubles in 2014.
His guilty plea for illegal campaign contribution violations resulted in an eight-month stay at a halfway house, along with five years’ probation and a $30,000 fine.
Although Donald Trump’s pardon in 2018 restored some of his standing amongst specific conservative groups, his overall public image remained tarnished.