‘Most don’t agree with Trump’s racist views’

Indian-American actor Kal Penn and US ambassador to India Richard Verma during a meeting at the envoy’s residence in New Delhi on Monday. (Photo: Bunny Smith)

Indian-American star Kal Penn, best known for his roles in Harold & Kumar and The Namesake, says most Americans don’t agree with controversial presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s racist views.

Mr Trump has emerged as the only contender in the race for the Republican nomination for the presidential candidate to the alarm of many Americans who oppose the billionaire’s controversial comments on racism, foreign policy and immigration. He is poised to clash with Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in November.

“Most Americans do not agree with Donald Trump’s racist, anti-women, anti-LGBT practice. We are not that country. Hopefully, that will prove itself,” Penn, 39, said during an event here.

Penn, who campaigned extensively for President Barack Obama during the 2008 elections and served as associate director in the White House office of public engagement, said there are many who still did not vote for Mr Trump despite him emerging as the frontrunner.

Talking about the time he spent campaigning for the current President, Penn said he heard Mr Obama in one of the closed door events and was really impressed with what he had to say.

Penn said he did not have a lot of work as there was a strike by Hollywood scriptwriters in 2007-08 so he decided to go to Iowa for a weekend trip but ended up spending more than two months. The actor said it was not “weird” to work in the Obama administration as “it is an honour to serve your country.”