Pete Buttigieg Responds to Tucker Carlson’s Claims with Humor

Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, addressed controversial comments made by conservative commentator Tucker Carlson regarding his sexuality. During a recent episode of Carlson’s podcast, aired on September 3, 2023, Carlson referred to Buttigieg as a “fake gay guy,” suggesting he lied about being gay. Buttigieg responded with humor, stating that his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, could easily revoke his “gay card.”

Carlson made these remarks while discussing various political topics with fellow commentator Michael Knowles. He implied that Buttigieg’s past relationships with women discredit his identity as a gay man, remarking, “The fake gay guy?” This is not the first time Carlson has made such claims; he previously suggested that Buttigieg may not be genuinely gay during a broadcast last year.

In response to Carlson’s assertions, Buttigieg appeared on Kara Swisher’s podcast, where he expressed a mix of disbelief and sarcasm. He noted that it reflects a certain progress in society when the most significant conspiracy Carlson can muster is that Buttigieg is “secretly straight.” Swisher humorously referenced a meme that led her to contemplate Carlson’s claims, to which Buttigieg quipped about Chasten’s repeated threats to revoke his “gay card.”

Buttigieg Declines Carlson’s Interview Offer

Carlson expressed an interest in interviewing Buttigieg to ask him about “very specific questions about gay sex.” In his response, Buttigieg dismissed the idea, stating, “I cannot think of a topic I would like to discuss less with Tucker Carlson than that.” He acknowledged a sense of “morbid curiosity” about Carlson’s perspective but ultimately decided against engaging in any dialogue with him.

Buttigieg’s remarks follow those of Kamala Harris, the former U.S. Vice President, who, in her memoir titled 107 Days, mentioned that Buttigieg would have been an ideal partner if she were a “straight white man.” She elaborated on the complexities of their political dynamics, stating, “We were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a Black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man.”

Since coming out as gay in 2015, Buttigieg has been a prominent figure in American politics. He met Chasten on the dating app Hinge, and the couple married in June 2018. They expanded their family in 2021, adopting twins, Penelope and Joseph.

Buttigieg’s ability to respond to personal attacks with humor highlights his resilience in the face of public scrutiny. His interactions with figures like Carlson illustrate the ongoing discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ identities in politics, as well as the challenges that come with public life.