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A Democrat has stepped into the manosphere.
Pete Buttigieg, who previously served as the Secretary of Transportation during the Biden Administration and was a presidential candidate in 2020, recently participated in a lengthy three-hour discussion on Andrew Schultz’s Flagrant. This conversation, which spanned topics ranging from contemporary politics to cultural conflicts, marks Buttigieg’s latest effort to engage with audiences outside the traditional Democratic “echo chamber.” It also represents his first significant engagement with online media that often questions progressive narratives.
During the interview, Buttigieg, sporting a new beard, voiced his concerns over fellow Democrats shying away from unconventional platforms like Flagrant, a show that has stirred controversy for hosting guests like Donald Trump. Co-host Akaash Singh noted that the show’s attempts to invite Democrats were often met with refusal, leading Buttigieg to call out party members for rejecting opportunities to connect with a broader audience. “We need to engage with those who hold different views; it helps us grow and perhaps persuade others,” he argued, emphasizing the importance of dialogue across political divides.
Schultz and his co-hosts expressed admiration for Buttigieg’s willingness to engage in such a lengthy and challenging discussion. By the end of the episode, Schultz commented on Buttigieg’s bravery and noted that he looked forward to seeing more from him within the political landscape.
Buttigieg is not the first prominent Democrat to venture into the world of manosphere podcasting; that distinction belongs to Sen. Bernie Sanders, who appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience in 2019. Nonetheless, Buttigieg has consistently entered challenging arenas, frequently appearing on Fox News and even participating in a town hall on the conservative channel. His forays into online platforms are not new either, as he previously engaged with viewers on Jubile’s YouTube series Surrounded, which featured a discussion titled “1 Politician vs. 25 Undecided Voters” during the current election cycle.
While Buttigieg’s engagement with such platforms may be noteworthy, he is not alone among Democrats in navigating right-leaning media following setbacks in electoral campaigns. Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential bid faced criticism for failing to reach out to influential figures in the podcasting world effectively. According to senior strategist Stephanie Cutter, who discussed Harris’s campaign on Pod Save America, such missed connections, especially with younger demographics like young men, were a significant oversight. She reflected on how Trump’s appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience brought his message to tens of millions just days before the election, while Harris declined similar opportunities due to internal apprehensions regarding pushback from progressive staffers.
In a broader context, California Governor Gavin Newsom appears to be keen on avoiding this misstep. Since launching his podcast in February, he has reached out to figures from the MAGA movement, such as Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, aiming for “honest discussions” with a range of ideological perspectives.
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www.theverge.com