A prominent platform representing IT companies in the United States has found itself embroiled in controversy following a speaker's inflammatory remarks about former President Donald Trump at one of its conferences. The incident has forced the organization, ITServe Alliance, to issue a public clarification distancing its leadership from the comments.
Viral Video Sparks Controversy
The controversy erupted after a video from an ITServe Alliance conference went viral on social media. In the clip, the speaker, identified as Indian-origin attorney Sheela Murthy, is seen making strong statements against Donald Trump. Murthy told the IT crowd that "the president is not god" and does not make the laws of the country. She also made jokes about Trump's marital history, referencing his immigrant wives while criticizing his administration's crackdown on immigration.
The most contentious part of her speech was an explicit call to action. Murthy urged the audience to "kick Trump in the a**", a statement that quickly drew widespread condemnation and put the spotlight on the hosting organization.
Alliance's Swift Response and Political Fallout
In response to the growing backlash, ITServe Alliance issued a formal statement to clarify its position. The organization asserted its support for President Trump and his administration's efforts to stop illegal immigration. It emphasized that the views expressed by individual speakers at its events do not represent the official stance of ITServe Alliance or its leadership.
"ITServe Alliance is a non-partisan group that works with all political parties on solutions that support American-owned and American-based businesses," the statement read. It further added, "Our organization and leadership are committed to working with President Trump and his administration on common-sense immigration reforms."
The political repercussions were immediate. According to reports, GOP leader Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out of a scheduled conference with the organization following the controversy, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue.
Condemnation and the Call for Civil Discourse
The speech was not only criticized by political opponents but also by figures within the Democratic sphere. Ajay Bhutoria, a former adviser to President Joe Biden and an Indian-American leader, condemned Murthy's rhetoric. While expressing his own disagreement with Trump's policies, Bhutoria stated that Murthy's speech "crossed a line with hateful rhetoric that could incite violence." He emphasized the importance of civil disagreement, asserting that violence is never the answer.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by non-partisan industry groups in managing diverse speaker line-ups and maintaining a neutral, professional image while engaging with highly polarized political topics in the United States.
