In an identity mix-up of epic proportions, a Times Now anchor blasted at the wrong guest on live TV, video of which has since gone viral. The Times Now editor-in-chief Rahul Shivshankar was moderating a television debate about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. For the debate, the Times Now anchor had called panelists which included Daniel McAdams, the executive director of the Ron Paul Institute and Bohdan Nahayla, the Kyiv Post editor.

At one point in the debate, Shivshankar instructed “McAdams” to calm down and ironically, shouted at him for the next minute and a half. However, he later realized he was shouting at the wrong person when McAdams intervened and said, “Dear host, I have not said a word yet. I don’t know why you’re yelling at me”. The trainwreck of a debate ended with a confused Shivshankar saying, “Sorry, I got that confused.”

Contents hide
1. The Facts of the Matter
2. What the Times Now Debate Was All About
3. “Take a Chill Pill”: Shivshankar Asks, and Lashes Out
4. Sensitivity & Complexity of Issue Thrown Out
5. Guest Tries Correcting Shivshankar, He Obviously Avoids
6. “I AM Mr. McAdams! Stop Yelling at Me!”
7. Watch the Video Here
8. Netizens React to Times Now Identity Mix-Up

The Facts of the Matter

Times Now news anchor Rahul Shivshankar had his moment of virality, but maybe not in the way he would have wanted. During a television debate on the sensitive and complex issue of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, Rahul Shivshankar berated the wrong panelist for about two minutes before he realized the magnitude of the identity mix-up.

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What the Times Now Debate Was All About

On Thursday, Times Now was broadcasting a live television debate #UkraineLastStand. To get the perspectives from both the sides, the channel went as far as inviting Daniel McAdams, the executive director of Ron Paul Institute and Bohdan Nahaylo, the Kyiv Post editor.

It’s not easy to put down in words the uber cringe-worthy incident that transpired during the broadcast. But we will give it a shot.

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“Take a Chill Pill”: Shivshankar Asks, and Lashes Out

At one point in the debate, a confident Rahul Shivshankar asks Daniel McAdams to take a “chill pill”, and then ironically, lashed out on him for the next minute and a half.

Thinking he is actually addressing his American expert, Shivshankar can be heard saying, “Mr. McAdams if you are so concerned about Ukrainians… get off the fence and send your forces and put boots on the ground. Don’t lecture us here in India, okay?”.

Sensitivity & Complexity of Issue Thrown Out

The entire complexity and sensitivity of the ongoing crisis is thrown out of the window and Shivshankar continues his cringe worthy sermon. “I am not gonna hear your lecture. And if you have really problems (sic), then go tell the US president Mr. Biden who flashes… who flashes his fancy credentials,” the Times Now editor-in-chief can be heard saying.

The trainwreck of a debate took a wild turn when McAdams tried to intervene and said how he was not even talking. However, Shivshankar avoids McAdam’s interjection and continues on his tirade. Shivshankar goes as far as bringing Afghanistan humanitarian crisis and gave biased references like “African nations”, “colonial agendas”, and of course, Iraq.

“And don’t sit here and lecture us… don’t sit here and lecture us Mr McAdams. We shut him down,” Shivshankar continued. Again, McAdams intervenes and says, “I’m not talking! It’s the other guy who’s talking. I haven’t been able to say a word!”

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Guest Tries Correcting Shivshankar, He Obviously Avoids

Still unaware of the fact that he’s lashing out at the wrong person on live television, Shivshankar further shouts and says, “Absolutely. The man has gone completely ballistic, and if he feels so strongly, he should go and fight alongside Ukrainians who are being killed.”

“I AM Mr. McAdams! Stop Yelling at Me!”

McAdams finally increases his voice and says, “Dear host, I have not said a word yet. I don’t know why you’re yelling at me,” he says. “But I am not yelling at you, I am talking about Mr McAdams,” Shivshankar boldly states.

“I AM Mr McAdams! I am Mr. McAdams and I haven’t said a word, so stop yelling at me!” McAdams says.

“Oh… ok, sorry, I got that confused. I got that… I got that… That’s Bohdan Nahaylo,” Shivshankar says, realizing his mistake after a few seconds.

Watch the Video Here

Netizens React to Times Now Identity Mix-Up

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