Pete Buttigieg is once again making headlines—this time for his attempt to appeal to young American men. In a new interview with GQ, part of the magazine’s “State of the American Male in 2025” series, the former Transportation secretary and openly gay former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, spoke about what masculinity means today and how society should engage younger men who feel politically alienated.
Buttigieg told GQ, “There’s clearly been a turning just in the last few years — and it was brought out in the election, but it’s not just about the election — where I think you have a lot of younger men who viewed the things that have changed as going so far that they no longer see where they would fit in a more progressive story.” He called that a tragedy, saying young men “maybe have the most to lose” in today’s political climate. Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020, argued that the left has contributed to alienation by creating what he described as a culture of “scolding and finger-wagging.”
He suggested progressives need to provide an alternative vision of masculinity beyond the “toxic” label. His comments touched on sensitive issues, including gender-based discrimination, the #MeToo era, and political backlash to movements like Black Lives Matter. Buttigieg emphasized that equal treatment for women and protections against harassment should not be seen as threatening. Still, Buttigieg’s moderation has drawn criticism.
Some argue his outreach risks legitimizing conservative ideologies, including those hostile to LGBTQ+ people. As speculation grows about a 2028 presidential run, Buttigieg continues to walk a fine line between courting younger men and maintaining credibility with his party’s base. To know more about the story, read an opinion piece written by Elaina Patton, a New York–based writer and editor, at Out.com.
