Ever been watching CNN and caught yourself wondering, "Wait, is Manu Raju actually tall, or are those senators just kinda short?" You aren't alone. It’s one of those weird things people Google all the time. When you see him cornering a politician in a marble hallway, the perspective gets wonky.
Honestly, the screen is a liar. Camera angles, the height of the person being interviewed, and the literal "halls of power" can make anyone look like a giant or a hobbit.
The Real Numbers on Manu Raju's Height
Let's get the stats out of the way. Manu Raju is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall. Now, he hasn't exactly gone on record with a tape measure to settle a bet, but in the world of D.C. reporting, that's the consensus. If you've ever seen him standing next to someone like Mitt Romney (who's about 6'2") or a shorter lawmaker, the math starts to make sense. He’s basically right at the average height for an American male.
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Why do people think he’s taller? It’s probably the "Main Character" energy.
When you’re the guy who isn’t afraid to chase down a powerful Senator to ask the question they've been dodging for three weeks, you loom large. It’s a presence thing. He’s often leaning in, mic extended, dominating the physical space of the interview. That makes him feel way more imposing than a guy who's "just" 5'9".
Why Everyone Asks This
Television is a game of smoke and mirrors.
You’ve got the "Texas tall" politicians who show up in cowboy boots with a two-inch heel, and then you’ve got the veteran reporters who know how to stand so they don't get swallowed by the frame. Manu is a pro at this. He’s been on the Hill since his days at Politico and The Hill newspaper, so he knows how to hold his ground.
- Proximity: He gets close. Really close. When you're in someone's personal bubble for a quote, you look bigger on camera.
- The Mic Extension: Reaching up or out changes the viewer's perception of your wingspan and height.
- The Suit: A well-tailored suit—and Manu is rarely seen without one—creates a vertical silhouette that adds a bit of "visual height."
Beyond the Inches: The Man Behind the Mic
If we're being real, his height is the least interesting thing about him. Born in February 1980 in Downers Grove, Illinois, Manu Raju grew up in the Chicago suburbs before heading to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He didn't even start out in journalism. He was a business major.
But the "Badger" in him took over. He worked at the student paper, The Badger Herald, as a sports editor. That's where the hustle started. You can still see that "sports reporter" vibe today when he’s literally running through the Capitol to get a comment on a breaking bill.
He comes from a family of high achievers, too. His grandfather, Gopalakrishna Adiga, was a famous poet in India. His brother, Sharat Raju, is a director. When you've got that kind of pedigree, you don't need to be 6'5" to command a room.
Does it Matter for His Job?
In some ways, being "average" height is actually a tactical advantage for a reporter.
If you're too tall, you're intimidating and people stay away. If you're too short, you get lost in the "scrum"—that chaotic pack of reporters that mobs politicians in the hallways. At 5'9", Manu is right in the sweet spot. He can see over the cameras but still weave through a crowd of interns and lobbyists without getting stuck.
He’s married to Archana Mehta and they have twins, born back in 2015. Between the kids and the 24/7 news cycle, the guy is probably too tired to care if people think he's a basketball player or not.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you're trying to gauge a celebrity's height from your couch, here are a few tips to stop being fooled by the lens:
- Look at the shoulder line: If the reporter’s shoulder is level with the politician’s, they’re the same height, regardless of where their heads are in the frame.
- Check the shoes: Look for those thick-soled "policy-maker" shoes or heels that can add an easy two inches.
- Find a reference object: The doorways in the Capitol are massive. Don't use them for scale, or everyone will look tiny. Use the handrails or standard-sized furniture.
The next time you see Manu Raju holding someone's feet to the fire on Inside Politics, remember: it’s the reach of the question, not the reach of the arms, that actually counts.