During the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda made a startling remark, suggesting that the Indian government either “silence Donald Trump” or “shut down McDonald’s in India”, referring to the former U.S. president’s repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Trump has publicly asserted this claim nearly 28 times, but the Modi government has remained non-committal, prompting Hooda to flag India’s perceived diplomatic inertia over a narrow blockbuster reference to corporate symbolism.

Hooda clarified the comment by stressing that “love and trade cannot be one‑sided. The Indian government must take a firm stand”, underscoring India’s economic leverage and international dignity amid foreign meddling. The remark quickly attracted attention in parliament and media alike, amid wider criticism of the government's muted response to Trump’s statements and the broader Operation Sindoor strategy. Opposition MPs leveraged the analogy to demand clearer articulation of India’s foreign policy in the face of unsolicited American commentary.

Meanwhile, the ruling party dismissed the comment as far-fetched and designed to mock, while key figures like S. Jaishankar reiterated that no U.S. mediation occurred, asserting India's sovereign decision-making. The thread combined humor, critique, and serious diplomatic messaging in the heat of national debate.