In a conversation that blended humor, candor, and serious reflection, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to one of the more bizarre attacks on his identity, a claim by Tucker Carlson that he is a “fake gay.”
The exchange happened during a live taping of On with Kara Swisher at the University of Michigan. Swisher, known for her sharp wit, poked fun at Buttigieg by echoing Carlson’s insult. She joked, “I’m starting to agree with Tucker Carlson on this fake gay thing,” after Buttigieg admitted he didn’t recognize a meme she said was popular among gay men. Buttigieg laughed and brushed it off, saying, “Chasten, my husband, has threatened to have my gay card revoked so many times. This is just going to be the latest.”
Swisher, a lesbian, pressed Buttigieg to answer Carlson’s “very specific questions about gay sex.” Buttigieg responded by pointing out the high level of cringeworthiness.
The conversation also touched on Democratic politics, a 2028 presidential bid, and his stance on Gaza. For queer community, the interview highlighted both Buttigieg’s resilience and his humor in the face of bad-faith attacks.
