Rory Stewart is the internet’s new favourite meme after bizarre Newsnight moment

| Deputy TV editor Published September 23, 2026 10:52am Updated September 23, 2026 10:52am To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Rory Stewart is best known as a politician, academic and podcast host. Yet the former Conservative MP turned political pundit can add a new achievement to his already impressive CV. He’s just become the internet’s latest meme. But how did this happen to the 53-year-old author? Well, last Friday Rory appeared on Newsnight to discuss the week’s top stories. Everything seemed normal as he and fellow panellists — former Labour leader Neil Kinnock and the Political Editor of the New Statesman, Ailbhe Rea — discussed Andy Burnham’s upcoming meeting with Trump and the latest gossip around the royal family. Things, however, took a turn when the conversation turned to AI security (one of Rory’s pet subjects). Rory was joined by former Labour leader Neil Kinnock and the Political Editor of the New Statesman, Ailbhe Rea (Picture: BBC) The moment AI was mentioned Rory fixed his gaze on Ailbhe (Picture: BBC) Rory was pontificating on his fears around China and the US dominating the AI world when host Matt Chorley asked Ailbhe what Westminster was doing to combat their monopoly. Rather than turn and face Ailbhe, however, Rory spun around in his chair and fixed the journalist with a glare. And it’s the intensity and speed with which Rory turned that’s tickled the internet’s funny bone so much. The image of Rory’s stare tickled the internet’s funny bone (Picture: BBC) ‘Ladies. Find a man who looks at you like Rory looks at the political editor of the New Statesman,’ wrote @TheSundaySport. ‘When your Dad said it’s up to your mum if you can get an ice cream from the van,’ joked @KeirPIPreceiver. ‘I can’t stop laughing. What was he doing?’ asked @Entick_ while @SeveralBadgers added: ‘Well, that needs to be a new reaction GIF’. And sure enough, the internet soon provided the GIF, which was shared far and wide. This isn’t the first time the people online have enjoyed poking fun at Rory. Back in 2019, when he was campaigning to be the next Conservative leader, he started posting selfie videos on Twitter, captioning them #RoryWalks. These awkward videos need to be seen to be believed, and they baffled his followers online. Perhaps though the most notable of these was when he was called out for pretending he was holding a phone to film himself in Kew Gardens, and when confronted about it, he admitted to faking the selfie. Deals of the Day Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale And they say there are no honest politicians any more. Arrow MORE: BBC star Mark Doyle dies aged 67 after short illness Arrow MORE: Strictly star confirmed to be joining Gladiators as part of major cast shake-up Arrow MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s new spin-off show confirmed bringing viewers ‘closer than ever’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.