US President-elect Donald Trump’s newly appointed special envoy, Richard Grenell, made headlines in Pakistan when a post by Geo News on his appointment triggered widespread criticism on social media.
The story, published on December 15, reported Grenell’s designation as a presidential envoy for special missions, with Trump announcing on his Truth Social platform that Grenell would focus on critical global regions such as Venezuela and North Korea.
However, Geo News’ headline, “Gay Richard Grenell appointed as Trump’s special envoy,” quickly drew backlash for emphasizing Grenell’s sexuality. Critics condemned the outlet for what they deemed an inappropriate and biased framing, particularly in the context of Grenell’s recent support for imprisoned Pakistani politician Imran Khan.
Grenell, a vocal advocate for Khan’s release, had reposted the Geo News article on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Free Imran Khan.” His post went viral, intensifying the backlash against the news outlet. Many supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party accused Geo News of attempting to undermine Grenell’s credibility and support for Khan.
As the controversy grew, Grenell reiterated his stance, reposting the article and writing, “I’ll say it again. Free Imran Khan.”
Under mounting criticism, Geo News deleted the post and issued an updated headline, though the revised article continued to highlight Grenell’s controversial history, including his conservative views and his identity as an openly gay man.
The report also noted objections from some Republican circles during Grenell’s previous appointments under Trump, citing his outspoken conservative positions and past remarks about women.
The episode has sparked a broader conversation about media ethics, bias, and the role of international figures in Pakistan’s political discourse. Meanwhile, Grenell’s call for Imran Khan’s release has further cemented his status as a polarizing figure both in the US and abroad.
