Critics have harshly criticized Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, for using a US Senate hearing on ticket scalping as an opportunity to promote her upcoming Archwell Summit.
The virtual event, set to feature celebrities and activists discussing social issues, has drawn backlash after Markle’s controversial tweet during the hearing.
The Senate Judiciary Committee held the hearing on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, to address the impact of scalper bots on the live events industry.
Scalper bots are software programs that purchase large quantities of tickets for popular events, reselling them at inflated prices and depriving fans of fair access.
Joe Birchtold, the president and CFO of Live Nation, testified at the hearing, highlighting the technical glitches and negative consumer experience caused by scalper bots during the pre-sale of Taylor Swift’s Eurostour in 2023.
However, instead of focusing on the issue at hand, Meghan Markle, who was watching the hearing online, took to Twitter to promote her own event, which coincidentally involved Ticketmaster.
The Archwell Summit, scheduled for February 14, 2024, is a collaboration between the Sussexes Foundation and Ticketmaster, with the latter providing the platform and tickets for the online event.
Markle’s now-deleted tweet read, “Watching the Senate hearing on ticket scalping and feeling grateful for our partnership with Ticketmaster for the Archwell Summit.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join us and our amazing guests for a day of inspiration and action.
Get your tickets now!”
Markle’s tweet sparked outrage among Twitter users, who accused her of being tone-deaf, insensitive, and opportunistic.
Some responses included statements like, “How dare you use a serious issue like ticket scalping to promote your vanity project?
You have no shame or respect for the fans who are being ripped off by these bots.
#BoycottArchwellSummit” and “This is disgusting.
You are exploiting a Senate hearing to sell tickets for your event, which is nothing but a cash grab and a PR stunt.
You are not a humanitarian.
You are a hypocrite.
#Megxit”
Even some senators who participated in the hearing expressed their disappointment with Markle’s tweet, feeling that she undermined their efforts to address the issue of scalper bots and protect consumers.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a statement saying, “I am appalled by Meghan Markle’s tweet, which was a blatant attempt to use her hearing to sell tickets for her event.
This hearing was not a marketing opportunity; it was a serious inquiry into a problem that affects millions of Americans who love live entertainment.
Ms. Markle should apologize for her disrespectful and inappropriate behavior.”
Although Markle has not responded to the criticism, she has deleted her tweet.
Screenshots of the tweet, however, have been widely circulated on social media and online forums, such as the subreddit rStMeganMarkle, dedicated to exposing Markle’s alleged lies and manipulations.
A pinned post titled “Meghan Markle Caught Red-Handed Using Senate Hearing to Sell Tickets for Archwell Summit” on the subreddit has garnered over 10,000 upvotes and 2,000 comments, mostly expressing outrage and disgust at Markle’s actions.
The Archwell Summit, boasting guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Malala Yousafzai, and Prince Harry, has faced skepticism and ridicule from many observers.
Critics question the motives and credibility of the Sussexes, describing the event, which claims to be a global conversation on building a better world, as self-indulgent and self-serving.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Newsweek, “The Sussexes have lost touch with reality and have become a parody of themselves.
They are using their royal status and celebrity connections to make money and influence without any accountability or responsibility.