'I'm the British Marco Rubio': Ed Miliband's New York TikTok encounter sparks 'staged' row online

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026 · last updated 25 September 2026.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband sparked ridicule after claiming to be "the British Marco Rubio" in a TikTok street interview with influencer Feroz Khan during the UN General Assembly in New York, with viewers immediately questioning whether the encounter was genuine. Khan approached Miliband with his usual opener — "Excuse me, you have an amazing outfit" — before asking what he did for a living, to which Miliband responded with the Rubio comparison. Critics online pointed to Miliband's aides walking out of shot without turning back, and his answers appearing rehearsed, as evidence the meeting was set up in advance.

Miliband appeared to recognise Khan on camera, saying 'Hang on, you're that Feroz guy — you interviewed JLo once.'

Khan's TikTok content revolves around stopping strangers in public and asking what they do for a living, making him a well-known New York street influencer.

Guido Fawkes branded the encounter 'cringeworthy', capturing the sceptical mood that swept social media within hours.