Trump mocks popularity of name Mohammad among Muslims at Georgia rally

US President Donald Trump joked about the popularity of the name Mohammad among Muslims during a rally in Georgia, before mocking Iran’s President.

“If you’ve got a guy from the Middle East, you’re not sure, say ‘Mohammad,’ Trump told the crowd in Dalton on Friday. “You have about a 65% chance. ‘Hello, Mohammad.’ I’ve done it for years now. I’ve never been wrong,” Reuters reported.

In his speech, Trump was campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the US midterm elections on Nov. 3. He said that among all countries, “Iran is the one where nobody wants to become president,” before turning to a handful of people with the name Mohammad and sarcastically asking if they wanted the job.

Masoud Pezeshkian has been president of Iran since 2024. The applause was lukewarm for Trump’s joke, according to Reuters.

Muslim organisations and advocates for rights have criticised Trump’s rhetoric, which they say mocks or demonises Muslims, immigrants and ethnic minorities.

Trump has continued to attack Muslim and Somali Americans this midterm campaign, including Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar.

In his speech, Trump also reiterated his vow that there will be no Iranian nuclear weapons after the US and Israeli military attack on Tehran.