Posts by Richard Grenell, former acting director of national intelligence in the United States and a close associate of President-elect Donald Trump, have been circulating on social media in Pakistan. However, some Pakistanis now suspect that his account is fake and managed by a supporter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Dr. Shama Junejo, a political analyst, went down the rabbit hole to examine the account's history. She claims that the timing of the posts and the type of English used suggest that the account is not run by Grenell, but rather by a pro-PTI Pakistani.

 

She points out that there were no tweets during Trump’s election campaign or after his win. The first tweet was made on November 9.
 

Grenell posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Free Imran Khan!" on November 26, when PTI protesters and law enforcement agencies clashed in Islamabad.

 

He garnered further attention on December 15 when he was appointed Envoy for Special Missions under the Trump administration. PTI’s official account shared the announcement. Some people in Pakistan, however, pointed to his sexuality as a means of undermining his credibility or making his stance appear irrelevant. This included coverage by national news channels, such as Geo News, which reported the update with the headline, “Trump appoints homosexual Richard Grenell as special envoy.”

 

Grenell, undeterred, posted again, saying, “I’ll say it again. Free Imran Khan.”

 

His tweets since then have descended, at times, into plain old trolling, behaviour that is seemingly unbecoming of a senior diplomat. 

 

Social media is also confused by his sudden interest in Pakistan and tendency to act like he is pro-PTI. Many have raised eyebrows on how his interest in Pakistan is not being categorised as 'foreign interference' by PTI.

 

Grenell's Appointment

 

Grenell previously served as ambassador to Germany during Trump's first administration, special presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and acting director of national intelligence.

 

National Public Radio (NPR) reported Grenell for having a reputation of "sometimes employing a contentious approach to diplomacy that rankled allies and the foreign policy establishment in Washington."

 

PTI supporters rejoiced over his recent appointment on social media, congratulating him on his new title.

 

Social media did not hold back after Grenell's recent post with one user commenting: "Respected Sir Heartiest Congratulations on your new assignment . May you get succeed and achieve your goals & aims Ameen. Imran Khan is our Leader and he is in Adyalla Jail for the last 18 months in fake frivolous cases like @realDonaldTrump. Thank you so much for raising voice for IK."

 

PTI leader Azhar Mashwani, who is in self-imposed exile, commented: "@geonews_urdu is Pakistan's largest traditional news network, fully allied to the brutal regime in the country. Interestingly, many of these traditional media outlets in the country were recipients of substantial USAID media-buying funds between 2008 and 2014 under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act. Even more interesting is that the KLB Act was the brainchild of then-Senator Joe Biden, who became Vice President shortly before the bill was passed. For those that think Biden (and his admin) were agnostic on Pakistan, there is ample evidence of his clear political preferences in the country. Past 3 years is a testament to it."

 

Another PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari reposted with a caption: "250 million people chant the same. Free Imran Khan!"

 

Former President Arif Alvi wrote: "A very positive statement. The same feelings are resonating throughout the world. #Free_Imran_Khan. @ImranKhanPTI has spent more than 500 days in jail on false, fabricated & fictitious charges starting with the ignominious regime change, destruction of civil liberties, mandate reversal, fascist torture & subversion of constitution & judiciary by the deep state in Pakistan."