WASHINGTON DC (Diya TV) — Conservative satire site Babylon Bee stirred controversy with its recent parody article, “Trump Promises Vivek An Administration Position Running The White House 7-Eleven,” following Vivek Ramaswamy’s exit from the 2024 Republican presidential race. The humorous piece suggested Trump had offered Ramaswamy the role of managing the White House 7-Eleven, prompting a mixed response on social media.
After dropping out post-Iowa caucus, Ramaswamy threw his support behind Trump, leading to a charged atmosphere in New Hampshire, where Trump supporters chanted “VP, VP” in apparent endorsement for Ramaswamy as the potential vice president. Trump, acknowledging the support, expressed gratitude, stating, “It’s an honor to have his endorsement. He’s gonna be working with us for a long time. Thank you.”
Speculation about Ramaswamy joining the Trump ticket intensified, with some dubbing the potential alliance the “Magaswamy” show. Babylon Bee’s satirical take on the situation added fuel to the fire, suggesting Trump had humorously appointed Ramaswamy to manage the White House 7-Eleven.
The parody piece quoted Trump, faux-stating, “Under Biden, the White House doesn’t even have a 7-Eleven. Not good! We’re going to bring convenience back to the West Wing!” It playfully described Trump’s daily interactions with Ramaswamy, involving Diet Coke and warmed-up cheeseburgers.
However, the satirical content sparked accusations of racism, particularly considering the association of 7-Elevens with Indian immigrants. Critics argued that the joke perpetuated outdated stereotypes and called for more contemporary portrayals of individuals. While some found the humor distasteful, others defended it, emphasizing the tradition of the Babylon Bee’s irreverent approach to political satire.
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh, associated with The Daily Wire, dismissed the backlash as “pathetic,” assuring that Ramaswamy was not offended. Ramaswamy himself humorously echoed this sentiment, reposting Walsh’s comment and stating, “I’m a ‘survivor.'”
Babylon Bee Editor-in-Chief Kyle Mann responded to the criticism with a tongue-in-cheek comment, jokingly stating, “Too far, guys thank you come again” – referencing the character Indian Kwik-E-Mart owner “Apu” from The Simpsons.
This incident adds to Babylon Bee’s history of controversy, with the satirical site previously facing criticism from former President Trump himself. Despite differing opinions on the appropriateness of the joke, the episode highlights the ongoing debate over the boundaries of political satire.
