On October 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a heartfelt Diwali message to Americans, marking the festival’s growing significance across the United States. His greeting, published on the White House website, emphasized hope, peace, and unity, describing Diwali as a “timeless reminder of light’s victory over darkness.” Yet, this message of celebration unfolded against a backdrop of persistent trade tensions between the U.S. and India, as Trump reiterated his commitment to maintaining “massive” tariffs on Indian goods if India continued purchasing Russian oil.
Trump’s official statement struck a tone of optimism and inclusivity. “Today, I send my best wishes to every American celebrating Diwali—the ‘Festival of Lights.’ For many Americans, Diwali is a timeless reminder of light’s victory over darkness,” he wrote, according to the White House. The president went further, calling the festival a moment to “bring families and friends together to celebrate community, draw strength from hope, and embrace a lasting spirit of renewal.” He concluded with wishes for “abiding serenity, prosperity, hope, and peace” to all Americans observing the holiday.
This warm gesture is not merely symbolic. As reported by the Associated Press, Diwali’s prominence is on the rise in the U.S., with millions of Americans celebrating the festival each year. The traditional observance includes prayers, family gatherings, and the lighting of diyas—small oil lamps that represent the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. For many, Diwali is a time for introspection, camaraderie, and the reaffirmation of community bonds.
In recent years, the festival has gained official recognition across several U.S. states, reflecting the country’s increasingly diverse population. Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and California have all designated Diwali as a state holiday. Notably, California’s Assembly Bill 268, set to take effect in January 2026, will allow schools to close and grant paid vacation to state employees for Diwali. This legislative move is a nod to the state’s vibrant Indian-American community and the festival’s growing importance in mainstream culture.
Major school districts are also joining this wave of recognition. In New York City, public schools began observing Diwali as a holiday in 2024. Similar steps have been taken in New Jersey—particularly in Edison and Jersey City—and in parts of Texas, including Dallas and Houston. These changes underscore the integration of cultural traditions into the American mainstream, as schools and workplaces increasingly accommodate the observance of Diwali alongside other major holidays.
Despite the celebratory tone of Trump’s Diwali message, the occasion was tempered by ongoing diplomatic and economic friction between the U.S. and India. On October 19, 2025, just a day before Diwali, Trump addressed reporters aboard Air Force One, reaffirming his administration’s hardline stance on trade. He stated, “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing.” Trump’s comments referred to assurances he claimed to have received from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India would cease purchasing Russian oil—a matter of significant concern amid global energy market volatility.
However, Trump did not shy away from issuing a warning. “But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don’t want to do that,” he added, as reported by multiple outlets including Hindustan Times and Times Now News. The president’s remarks highlighted the delicate balance between cultural diplomacy and economic policy, with goodwill gestures running parallel to tough negotiations on trade and energy.
The U.S.-India trade relationship has been complex, especially in the context of global sanctions and shifting alliances. Trump’s insistence on maintaining tariffs—unless India complies with U.S. demands on Russian oil—reflects the administration’s broader strategy of leveraging economic measures to achieve foreign policy goals. For India, the stakes are high, as access to Russian oil has implications for its energy security and economic stability. For the U.S., the issue is part of a larger effort to isolate Russia economically and assert American influence in global trade.
Amid these tensions, the Diwali message took on added significance, serving as both a gesture of goodwill to the Indian-American community and a reminder of the broader context in which such cultural exchanges occur. The juxtaposition of festive greetings and tariff threats illustrates the multifaceted nature of international relations, where cultural diplomacy and economic leverage often intersect.
The 2025 Diwali celebration also saw greetings from leaders around the globe. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer all extended their best wishes to those celebrating the festival. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his part, conveyed his hope that the “festival of lights illuminate our lives with harmony, happiness and prosperity; and a spirit of positivity prevail all around us.”
While Diwali is not a federal holiday in the U.S.—federal offices, courts, and stock markets remain open—the growing recognition at state and local levels signals a shift in how America acknowledges its cultural diversity. California’s new law, Pennsylvania’s early adoption, and Connecticut’s recent addition of Diwali to its holiday list all point to a broader trend of embracing multiculturalism in public life. The changes in school calendars in New York City, New Jersey, and Texas further demonstrate the festival’s integration into the fabric of American society.
For many Indian-Americans, these developments are more than symbolic. They represent a validation of their heritage and a step toward greater inclusion. The ability to celebrate Diwali with official recognition—whether through school closures or paid leave—underscores the evolving nature of American identity, one that increasingly reflects the traditions and contributions of its diverse communities.
As the lights of Diwali illuminated homes across the U.S. on October 20, 2025, President Trump’s message of hope and unity resonated with millions. Yet, the persistent undercurrent of trade negotiations served as a reminder that diplomacy is rarely straightforward. In a world where cultural celebration and economic strategy often go hand in hand, the story of Diwali in America this year was as much about the triumph of light over darkness as it was about the complexities of international relations.
In the end, the festival’s enduring message—of hope, renewal, and the victory of good over evil—offered a moment of reflection for a nation navigating both celebration and challenge.
