A recent survey reveals that Indian Americans are facing increased online hate and express significant disapproval of President Trump, alongside a shift in political allegiance within the community.
A new survey, the 2026 Indian American Attitudes Survey (IAAS), conducted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, highlights a troubling rise in online hostility faced by Indian Americans. The survey also reveals a strong dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s performance during his first year back in office.
In collaboration with YouGov, the nationally representative survey found that 48 percent of respondents reported encountering racist content targeting Indians or Indian Americans on social media “very” or “somewhat often” since the beginning of 2025. Half of the participants expressed feelings of anger in response to such content, while approximately one-third reported feelings of anxiety or fear.
The report also sheds light on offline incidents of discrimination. Since early 2025, about 25 percent of respondents indicated they had been called a slur. Smaller percentages reported being physically threatened (9 percent), receiving hate mail (8 percent), experiencing property damage (6 percent), or being physically assaulted (4 percent).
In terms of political sentiment, the survey indicates widespread disapproval of Trump’s policies. Overall, 71 percent of respondents disapprove of his job performance, with 55 percent expressing strong disapproval. Majorities also criticized his handling of immigration (64 percent), domestic economic policy (68 percent), and trade and tariff policy (70 percent).
Specific immigration proposals associated with the Trump administration faced significant opposition. Seventy-four percent of respondents objected to the idea of deporting immigrants to third countries, and about two-thirds opposed a proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, a policy particularly relevant to Indian-origin professionals.
While Indian Americans have historically leaned Democratic, the survey indicates a shift in party identification. The percentage identifying as Democrats fell from 52 percent in 2020 to 46 percent in 2026. Meanwhile, Republican identification rose modestly from 15 percent to 19 percent, and independents now make up 29 percent of respondents.
Ideologically, moderates represent the largest group at 32 percent, followed by conservatives at 22 percent and liberals at 21 percent, suggesting a movement toward the political center. In a hypothetical rerun of the 2024 presidential race, 57 percent of respondents indicated they would support then-Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, compared to 25 percent for Trump. Support for third-party candidates increased to 10 percent, while 5 percent stated they would not vote.
Interestingly, support for Trump among younger Indian American men—a demographic where he gained traction in 2024—dropped significantly from approximately 40 percent in 2024 to just 24 percent in early 2026.
Discrimination remains a pressing issue for many in the community. About half of the respondents reported experiencing some form of personal discrimination since early 2025, with skin color (36 percent), country of origin (21 percent), and religion (17 percent) cited as the most common reasons. Incidents of discrimination were most frequently reported in retail settings (42 percent) and during job applications (38 percent).
Concerns about discrimination have led many to avoid discussing politics online. Nearly one-third of respondents reported refraining from political discussions due to fears of discrimination. Others indicated they avoid traveling abroad, displaying political signs, or wearing Indian attire in public.
Despite these challenges, the majority of Indian Americans are not planning to leave the United States. Fourteen percent of respondents said they frequently think about emigrating, while 26 percent said they occasionally consider it. Among those contemplating emigration, frustrations with U.S. politics (58 percent), the cost of living (54 percent), and personal safety (41 percent) were significant factors. Notably, only about one-quarter of those considering emigration indicated they would choose India as their destination.
When it comes to foreign policy, the survey suggests that it plays a lesser role in voting decisions. Only 20 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of U.S.–India relations, while 55 percent disapproved. Additionally, 25 percent expressed no opinion, indicating relatively low salience regarding this issue.
The survey also gauged reactions to public controversies. Respondents showed strong enthusiasm for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, with 68 percent expressing some level of enthusiasm for his election. This enthusiasm appeared to be driven more by ideological alignment than by identity factors.
On comments made by Vice President JD Vance regarding religion and interfaith marriage, a large majority of respondents indicated that political leaders should exercise caution when discussing a spouse’s faith. About two-thirds rejected the notion that it is reasonable to expect a spouse to convert religions.
The IAAS, based on responses from 1,000 Indian American adults surveyed between late November 2025 and early January 2026, carries a margin of error of ±3.6 percentage points. This latest wave of the survey included multiracial respondents to better reflect the demographic changes within the community.
Overall, the findings portray an electorate unsettled by rising online hostility and skeptical of the current administration, yet increasingly independent in its political identity. While Indian Americans continue to favor Democrats, their party allegiance appears less automatic, suggesting a more fluid and competitive political landscape ahead, according to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.