Working Out: The Latest Target of Political Division?

Created: JANUARY 19, 2025

The connection between physical fitness and political ideologies has become an unexpected battleground, sparking widespread debate and ridicule. A resurfaced MSNBC opinion piece linking working out to far-right extremism has drawn criticism from prominent figures like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan, igniting a conversation about the politicization of health and wellness.

OutKick founder Clay Travis, appearing on Fox & Friends, expressed his bewilderment at the MSNBC op-ed, emphasizing the universality of exercise and its benefits across demographics. He highlighted the absurdity of associating physical activity with any particular political leaning, stressing that working out should be encouraged for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Travis further criticized the tendency of some media outlets to label various activities as racist or white supremacist, recalling a previous incident where Larry Elder was dubbed the "Black face of White supremacy" during his California gubernatorial campaign. He questioned the broadening definition of white supremacy, now seemingly encompassing everyday activities like exercise.

Elon Musk Twitter takeover

Musk's viral tweet, "MSNBC thinks you’re a nazi if you work out lmaooo," garnered millions of views, reflecting the widespread disbelief and mockery surrounding the MSNBC article. Rogan echoed the sentiment, expressing astonishment at the notion of associating health with far-right ideologies. Rogan, a prominent podcast host and martial arts enthusiast, underscored the absurdity of the claim.

The original 2022 column, recently retweeted by MSNBC, linked fitness and nutrition to Adolf Hitler and white supremacist ideology. This sparked a wave of criticism, with many questioning the motivation behind connecting personal health choices to political extremism.

Harold Ford Jr: Everything can't be about race

The incident highlights the increasing polarization of seemingly unrelated topics, raising concerns about the potential for division and the mischaracterization of individual choices.

Comments(0)

Top Comments

Comment Form