Pete Buttigieg Goes Viral — And Fox News Can’t Handle It
In a twist that nobody really saw coming, Pete Buttigieg—yes, the former mayor turned transportation secretary—ended up causing quite the stir after a surprisingly down-to-earth appearance on Andrew Schulz’s podcast, Flagrant. Now, if you’ve never heard of the show, think bold, unapologetic, locker-room-style humor with just enough edge to make anyone clutch their pearls. It’s got a huge following, especially among young men, many of whom lean right or claim to hate “virtue-signaling politicians.” So, what was Buttigieg doing there? Apparently, he was flipping the script.
A Viral Moment That Got Everyone Talking
The moment the podcast hit the internet, clips of Buttigieg calmly and coolly laying out why Middle America might want to take another look at the Democratic Party started blowing up. Even more interesting? Schulz and his crew actually nodded along. No shouting, no cringing, just open dialogue—and people noticed. Buttigieg didn’t just hold his own; he managed to resonate with an audience that’s notoriously hard to crack for Democrats.
Now Enter Fox News... and the Meltdown Begins
But of course, this wouldn’t be a 2024 political moment without Fox News losing its mind. On Jesse Watters Primetime, stand-in host Rachel Campos-Duffy brought in conservative commentator Raymond Arroyo to dissect what they clearly thought was a bizarre political play. Arroyo, never one to shy away from drama, tried to slam Buttigieg’s approach—but ended up making things even weirder.
Yep, Things Got Real Weird—Fast
Arroyo took things to a strange place, comparing Buttigieg’s attempt to connect with male voters to sending influencer Dylan Mulvaney to teach a makeup class. “Mayor Pete is not exactly the one you send out to get the young bro crowd,” Arroyo quipped with a smirk. Campos-Duffy, always ready with the spice, jumped in with, “It’s funny how he thought growing the beard would somehow change everything.”
Cue the awkward laughter.
Then Arroyo added mysteriously, “Make us forget…” before trailing off and leaving the audience wondering what, exactly, he meant by that. Whatever point he was trying to make got lost in the cloud of giggles and veiled jabs.
🔥 But Here’s the Thing…
What Fox News failed to grasp—or refused to acknowledge—is that Buttigieg didn’t show up trying to act like one of the guys. He didn’t suddenly grow a beard and throw on a flannel shirt to pretend he’s chopping wood on the weekends. Instead, he brought something completely different to the table: authenticity, clarity, and a willingness to speak to people outside the usual echo chamber.
In a world of political theater, that’s rare. And yes, refreshing.
Pete’s Not Playing the Same Old Game
Let’s be real: the Democratic Party has struggled to reach certain demographics, especially young men who feel alienated or overlooked. Buttigieg called that out directly on the podcast. He admitted the party has a habit of sounding preachy—what he described as “finger-wagging”—and explained that it turns people off. That kind of self-awareness is not only rare in politics; it’s almost unheard of on either side.
Campos-Duffy, clearly picking up on that shift, sarcastically remarked, “He’s grown a beard and is pretending not to be a beta.” For those unfamiliar, “beta” is manosphere-speak for a passive or weak male—basically, an insult dressed up as internet slang. It’s the kind of jab that sounds more like something from an edgy subreddit than a national news broadcast, but hey, here we are.
The Bigger Picture: Rebranding Masculinity in Politics?
But maybe what’s happening here is a bigger cultural shift. Buttigieg isn’t trying to become someone he’s not; he’s expanding the definition of what leadership—and masculinity—can look like. He’s a military veteran, a husband, a father, a policy nerd, and a guy who’s clearly not afraid to show up in unexpected spaces and hold his ground.
That’s not weakness. That’s strategy.
🎯 Key Takeaways from Buttigieg’s Podcast Appearance
Let’s break down some of the most powerful points Pete hit during the Flagrant episode:
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Acknowledged his party’s flaws. He openly criticized the Democrats for being too scolding and not relatable enough.
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Made a strong case for policy wins. He didn’t just talk in vague ideals; he laid out specific ways Democrats have actually delivered for working Americans.
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Didn’t dodge tough questions. Whether it was about masculinity, Trump, or public trust, he faced it head-on without flinching.
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Changed minds—maybe. By the end, even Andrew Schulz, who had previously hosted Trump, seemed to be rethinking his position.
And Yet… Fox Went There
Unfortunately, none of that was enough to keep Fox from going low. Campos-Duffy even dropped a slur-filled comment referring to Buttigieg as “the worst virtue-signaling winger-fagger-wagger (sic),” a bizarre and clearly inappropriate attempt at humor that fell flat and sparked backlash online. It was a low moment, even for a network known for its inflammatory takes.
Why It All Matters
Here’s why this moment is more than just another viral clip: It shows that political discourse can shift, and minds can change—when the approach is right. Buttigieg didn’t go on Flagrant to preach. He went to talk. To listen. To explain without sounding like he was better than the people in the room. And in today’s climate? That’s practically revolutionary.
A Calculated Offensive from Team Pete
Make no mistake, though—this isn’t just Buttigieg freelancing. He’s clearly on the offensive ahead of the 2024 election, making calculated moves to get ahead of the curve. By engaging with audiences that Democrats usually ignore, he’s not just expanding his own profile; he’s helping reshape how his party connects with the country.
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