In a world of constant breaking information, it has become increasingly harder to tell fact from fiction, particularly when blue ticks are available to everyone for a price. This has often meant journalists falling for obvious parodies like the time a CNBC journalist fell for “Rahul Ligma” and “Daniel Johnson”, two pranksters who claimed to be sacked Twitter employees when Musk took over in 2022.
More recently, Newsweek fell for internet personality and one of the most viral X accounts: Dr. Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA Esq. The parody account is hugely popular on Financial Twitter (FinTwit) but things got a little out of hand recently when Newsweek took the account seriously and thought he was Trump’s FBI nominee Kash Patel’s father. In an article on Joe Biden pardoning Hunter, Newsweek wrote: “A surprising voice to weigh in on the pardon is Dr. Parik Patel, father of FBI Director nominee Kash Patel. The elder Patel wrote on X that Biden made the decision to pardon Hunter because he was “so worried about MY SON Kashu becoming director of the FBI that he decided to pardon his son … of all crimes.”
It later removed the paragraph and simply wrote: “Corrected 12/2/24 at 8:57 p.m. ET: Corrects to move incorrect reference to Parik Patel.”
The gaffe came after a bunch of tweets by the parody handle congratulating his “son” including pointing out that it was “unacceptable” for the senate to vote against his son “Kashu”, and joked that he did a lot of “hard work every day after school in his motel and he ate lots of almonds and drank haldi-doodh (turmeric milk) every day to improve his brain.” He also joked that Vivek Ramaswamy and Kash Patel were childhood friends.
Who is Dr Parik Patel?
Dr Parik Patel is a fictional internet personality widely recognized within the financial Twitter (Fintwit) community for his humour and memes about the finance and tech industries. Created in August 2020 during the COVID-19 market crash, the persona began as a way to engage with the growing trend of finance-related memes and commentary. Over time, the account amassed over 600,000 followers, making it one of the most prominent voices in satirical finance content, as highlighted in an interview with Shitposting Works (April 14, 2023).
The name “Dr. Parik Patel” reflects the creator’s cultural background as an Indian Gujarati, with “Patel” being one of the most common Gujarati surnames. The “Dr.” prefix humorously nods to the common aspiration among Indian parents for their children to pursue high-status professions. The visual representation of the character was designed using royalty-free images to create a unique and relatable caricature.
Dr. Patel’s content focuses on the quirks and ironies of the finance industry. His memes and posts often critique valuation methods, market behavior, and industry trends through a satirical lens. A notable example is his pinned tweet, where he humorously linked Tesla’s stock price to stimulus checks, encapsulating the absurdity of some market valuations during that period.
The creator chose to remain anonymous, citing creative freedom as the primary reason. Anonymity allows him to critique the industry openly and encourages followers to engage with the content rather than focus on the individual behind it. This approach has enabled him to connect with diverse communities across finance, crypto, and tech, all while maintaining an entertaining and insightful tone.
Why the Biden pardon is controversial
President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, has ignited significant controversy, with critics citing ethical concerns, political fallout, and a departure from established clemency norms. Biden’s decision contradicts his repeated public assurances that he would not pardon his son, sparking accusations of dishonesty and hypocrisy. Hunter’s pardon diverges from Justice Department guidelines, which typically recommend clemency for individuals who have served their sentences and demonstrated rehabilitation—criteria Hunter does not meet. Critics argue that the move undermines fairness and public trust in the justice system, prioritizing family ties over thousands of pending clemency petitions.
Ethical concerns have further fueled the debate, with allegations of nepotism overshadowing Biden’s broader promises to restore integrity and the rule of law. While some view Biden’s action as a fatherly act of protection, others contend it undermines his administration’s credibility. Politically, the pardon has triggered backlash from Republicans, including Donald Trump, who accuse Biden of double standards. The controversy has also spotlighted Biden’s overall clemency record, with only 157 actions during his term compared to Trump’s 238. Critics see the pardon as a missed opportunity for broader systemic reforms, amplifying scrutiny of Biden’s leadership and decision-making.
