Awkward. Megyn Kelly should've known Modi's on Twitter
Hello post-covefe world! We have now arrived at the “who is Sachin Tendulkar?” moment of politics. Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, currently with NBC has done the unthinkable. She asked Narendra Modi if he is on Twitter.
EXCLUSIVE: NBC News' @megynkelly joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow's International Economic Forum in Russia. pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDO
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 1, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held wide-ranging talks on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interests, including ways to boost energy and trade ties. Kelly, who is in St Petersburg, Russia to interview Putin, was attending the state dinner party at the Konstantin Palace when she met Modi.
When Modi recognised Kelly and remarked that he had seen her “umbrella” tweet that morning, Kelly broke into a laugh and asked, “Oh, are you on Twitter?”
*BURN*
Things are looking up in St. Petersburg - the rain stopped...& I will interview President Putin on Friday. pic.twitter.com/3MJ3IoIhlH
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 1, 2017
This is without a doubt a preposterous question. We live in the age of the internet and the social media. Everything happens on Twitter. Politicians, especially one who hold important offices have a flourishing presence on the social media. And Narendra Modi is definitely one of them.
After Donald Trump, Modi is the most-followed head of state on Twitter, with nearly 30 million followers. Apart from his personal Twitter account, the Prime Minister has an official Twitter account that boasts of an additional 18 million followers.
Additionally, Modi has a following of 4 crore on Facebook and has 6.8 million followers on Instagram. Seriously, the man lives and breathes social media.
As a news anchor and political commentator who covers international politics and is active on social media, it is beyond belief and that Megyn Kelly asked Narendra Modi if he is on Twitter.
It’s not at all like Maria Sharapova, a tennis player, not knowing Sachin Tendulkar, a cricket player. Sharapova is not a sports commentator. Nor does she provide expert opinion on any other sport apart from hers. Kelly, on the other hand, covers international news. A question like that obviously proves that she had not done her homework.
Outrage followed on Twitter, and the monumental social media gaffe sent Kelly to the cleaners:
Sheesh. @megynkelly asks @narendramodi WHO HAS 30 MILLION FOLLOWERS if he's on Twitter. What does it take to get India on the radar screen? https://t.co/ggw3p1YzlV
— Alyssa Ayres (@AyresAlyssa) June 2, 2017
Shocking. @megynkelly of @NBCNews asks PM @narendramodi if he is on twitter. Do some homework. He is the third most followed world leader. https://t.co/Mh7uYTOmEj
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 2, 2017
Despite the hype @megynkelly comes across as terribly unprepared asking @narendramodi if he's on @Twitter Heard of basic research? @NBCNews https://t.co/BlVnzlgBH0
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) June 2, 2017
.@NBCNews @megynkelly asks @narendramodi ,the 3rd Most Followed World Leader on @Twitter ,"Are you on #Twitter ?". She hasn't done homework! pic.twitter.com/6KTVj3yY2G
— Swamiji (@AOLSwamiji) June 1, 2017
Did Megyn Kelly actually ask the most followed politician in the world if he's 'on Twitter'? ???? https://t.co/sD6QmdfI2C
— Vinay Kesari (@vinaykesari) June 2, 2017
"Are you on Twitter?"Yes!" - @narendramodi (30m followers) https://t.co/THYlERYUkZ
— Iain Marlow (@iainmarlow) June 2, 2017
Tch. No homework done @megynkelly? Third most followed world leader on Twitter. https://t.co/ZTyJgYWdIx
— Jaskirat Singh Bawa (@JaskiratSB) June 2, 2017
Some felt the issue was blown out of proportion. Some called it sexism, implying that the reason people are furious is because Kelly is a powerful independent woman and this is just another reason for male detractors to bring her down. Some even implied that the outrage is nothing more than the brown person's inferiority complex. Being validated and recognised by a white person is something Indians always seek.
While it's true they are legitimate concerns, it is a bit of a stretch to imply that either of them is at play in the outrage post Megyn Kelly's foot-in-the-mouth moment.
Had it been Anderson Cooper, Jon Stewart, Bill O’Riley, Piers Morgan or just about any other internationally-famous male journalist who had asked this question, they too would be termed ignorant and equally ridiculed.
No one is calling women ignorant here. Social media is calling out Megyn Kelly out for her lack of preparation — and for living under the proverbial rock.
Is it the non-White individual's inferiority complex to expect an international journalist to be well-versed with the internet presence of world leaders?
It is, in fact, a condescension common to many in the United States to a certain degree that makes them not care more about international leaders. It is not inaccurate when one insinuates that the US media is a little too full of itself.
They don’t seem to fact-check or concern themselves with subjects and people that are somehow not related to United States at a given moment.
In fact, Narendra Modi is a leader who is well known in the United States. Not only has he been friendly with former president Barack Obama, he has also managed to make his mark upon the nation with his enthralling speech at Madison Square Garden in New York, in 2014.
Sorry Megyn, but you won’t find an Indian journalist asking the question “Are you on Twitter?” to Donald Trump.