The BBC has come under fire online after a reporter made a point of informing viewers that a woman seen at the White House was "not Michelle Obama" during coverage of Donald Trump's inauguration.
The beeb's programme covering the events in Washington is hosted by Katty Kay, who was quick to cut an interview short earlier this afternoon when the doors of the White House unexpectedly opened.
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The BBC's coverage of Donald Trump's inauguration cut an interview short after the White House's doors moved
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But it was an unknown black woman who emerged, leaving the presenter to inform viewers she was 'not Michelle Obama'
But Katty, who is the lead presenter for BBC World News America, was left red-faced when it turned out the commotion was simply an unknown black woman leaving the building.
The woman's emergence caused the Katty to awkwardly comment: "That is not Michelle Obama, just somebody coming out and checking everything is ready I imagine.
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Katty Kay, Correspondent for BBC World News America came under fire on social media for the gaffeCredit: Getty Images
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Angered Twitter users were quick to post about the Beeb's mistake
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It wasn't long before viewers took to Twitter to question why the host had felt the need to point out that the woman was not the First Lady.
One offended user of the social media site posted: "BBC presenter just said 'oh no that's not Michelle Obama' as black woman who clearly not Michelle Obama comes through the door. Cringe."
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One blasted the broadcaster, calling the coverage "trash"
Whilst another was quick to blast the broadcaster, saying: "BBC are trash.
"Seeing an unidentified black woman and saying its not Michelle Obama. After all this years we KNOW what Michelle looks like!!"
Some branded the incident "racist", with one viewer tweeting their disgust directly to the BBC, saying: "@BBCNews @BBCBreaking Random black woman emerges from White House. BBC "no that is not Michael Obama" #racism"
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Another sarcastically pointed out that after eight years as First Lady, viewers know who Michelle Obama is
Whist one viewer tweeted the BBC using the hashtag '#racism' over the incident
Both BBC One and ITV cleared out their usual running schedules this afternoon to make way for Donald Trump's inauguration.
Viewers watched as the 70-year-old was officially sworn in as the 45th President and the Obamas left the White House for the last time by military helicopter.
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