Current Events > GOP continues to decry the lack of masculinity in the United States

(+) Yeah! (+)

In their head-spinning transition from apologists for Russian President Vladimir Putin to proponents of World War III, Republicans reveal not only their utter lack of principle but also their obsession with toxic masculinity. Winston Churchills favored saying The Hun is always either at your throat or at your feet neatly sums up the Republicans abrupt shift. Both expressions of wish fulfillment admiring Russian ruthlessness and going to war are features of a party in constant need of masculine affirmation.

So Putin has become an utterly reviled character, even in GOP circles? Donald Trump and his followers have simply switched to a more politically acceptable side from which to assert their masculine bona fides. The Post reports that at a recent GOP gathering, Trump mused that the United States should label its F-22 planes with the Chinese flag and bomb the shit out of Russia. And then we say, China did it, we didnt do it, China did it, and then they start fighting with each other and we sit back and watch.

Aside from its juvenile inanity and the lame defense he was only joking! these over-the-top military fantasies are not unique to Trump.

Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), always eager to find a tough guy to attach himself to (first John McCain; then Trump), announced Putin should be assassinated. Other elected Republicans trying to claim they were tougher than President Biden advocated a no-fly zone, which would escalate the chances of direct conflict between the United States and Russia. Like little boys playing at war, these Republicans dont bother to think through the real-world consequences (war with an unhinged dictator with nuclear weapons).

This is not a new phenomenon. As the saying went during Trumps administration, cruelty or the raw assertion of power over the powerless was the point. It still is. Whether they are separating children from parents, spying on and infringing on women who do not want to be compelled to complete their pregnancy, or threatening to take away transgender children whose parents seek appropriate medical care, manliness manifesting as bullying has been the Republicans defining feature of late.

And theyre using the full force of the state to impose their will. All to enforce the frantic assertion as Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) laid out in a ludicrous 11-point platform that men are men, women are women. Does anyone remember a national party running on such a naked appeal to masculine insecurity?

In Trump, the MAGA crowd found its ideal caricature of toxic masculinity. Excusing war crimes, egging on police to injure suspects, defending White vigilantes and standing by men accused of abuse, Trump gave the MAGA crowd the vicarious thrill of being tough guys without having to leave their living room couches. Then there was his delight in watching thugs attack the Capitol and threaten the lives of lawmakers and his own vice president on Jan. 6, 2021. These were the men he loved.

Its not surprising that a Trump wannabe such as Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) would sell a mug depicting his fist pump to the Jan. 6 mob. His speech decrying that traditional masculine virtues are under attack illustrated precisely how masculine insecurity masquerades as manliness. Declaring that the left has been systematically destroying masculinity and Republicans will stage a revival of strong and healthy manhood in America might sound comical (if not an admission that their male audience is made up of a bunch of wimps). But in todays GOP, this is red meat for the MAGA crowd.

For Trump a man who escaped military service for bone spurs palling around with thugs including Putin allowed him to acquire a sense of toughness by association. His and other Republicans reverence for authoritarians (the Saudi rulers, Kim Jong Un, Recep Tayyip Erdogan) and for the Russian army (!) exposes their cartoonlike conception of manliness. Its no mere coincidence that one of the factors that closely correlates with support for the MAGA cult hero is belief in traditional gender roles. The Public Religion Research Institutes 2020 values survey found, Majorities of Republicans agree with both the statement that society punishes men just for acting like men (60% agree) and that society has become too soft and feminine (63% agree).

None of these guys can even give a coherent answer on what masculinity is or why it supercedes rights or laws

its just rhetoric

Their definition seems to be bullying minorities and trying so hard to act super tough.

it seems to be lying and not caring about injustice is "manly"

Isnt Lindsey Graham gay? (aware that it has nothing to do with being masculine or not)

None of these guys can even give a coherent answer on what masculinity is or why it supercedes rights or laws

its just rhetoric

It's suspected but not confirmed. He's never been married and is currently a bachelor and hasn't basically ever been seen dating any girls for years of not ever.

Just part of their propaganda.

The Republican image is "tough, manly men, hard workers and farmers who protect freedom and love Jesus"

When the real Republican is "slimy millionaire who protects billionaires and mega-corporations while fucking over everyone else"

Do Republican women also suffer from toxic masculinity?

Republican women

These are the people that are deathly afraid of needles.

They are as toxic as the men.

Marjorie and Candace are two of the more prominent ones.

Roseanne Barr.

So many bad republican women.

ARWAB

Lauren Boebert.
Abby Shapiro.
Sarah Palin.
Tomi Lahren.
Laura Ingraham.
Lauren Southern.
Roseanne Barr.
Kirstie Alley.
Kellyanne Conway.
Jeanine Pirro.
Kim Davis.
Paula White.

So many bad republican women.