A former football player’s choice in displaying his presidential preference proved as divisive as the race itself, with some going as far as asserting “Misogyny is alive & well…”
Beyond polling, sure signs that former President Donald Trump was holding onto momentum over Vice President Kamala Harris included corporate media’s takeaways from the weekend. While some tried to harp on a passing remark about late professional golfer Arnold Palmer or spin his shift at McDonald’s, others took aim at supporters like Le’Veon Bell for a t-shirt that asked a simple question:
“Trump or the Tramp?”
Far from a gotcha snapshot, the former NFL running back, who started his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, shared the image of himself wearing the shirt as he was in attendance at Saturday’s Latrobe, Pennsylvania rally for Trump.
trump or the tramp? pic.twitter.com/rJQwx9DVoC
— Le’Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) October 19, 2024
Along with former teammate, wide receiver Antonio Brown, Bell’s support for the GOP leader extended throughout the weekend in the Keystone State as the duo greeted the president on the tarmac en route to the Steelers victory over the New York Jets Sunday night after they had helped register voters at a tailgate takeover with Turning Point Action.
President Arrived #Gametime #CTESPN pic.twitter.com/MczdUnDQm8
— AB (@AB84) October 21, 2024
Of course, such enthusiasm for Trump could not go unaddressed by the TDS sufferers of social media, many of whom seemed to believe that decorum was a one-way street while finding fault with a known figure exercising his First Amendment right.
While decrying the t-shirt as racist, sexist, and derogatory, some even argued that Bell’s support for the onetime commander-in-chief was a result of too many blows to the head during his career.
“Only insecure, cowardly men feel the need to disparage women with slurs. You are disgusting and look like a clown,” said one concerning the t-shirt that only targeted Harris while another reacted by injecting race, “Why can’t you support your candidate without being disrespectful to the black woman running against him?”
“Misogyny is alive & well in the @NFL. I guess they are OK with this,” tried another.
Only insecure, cowardly men feel the need to disparage women with slurs. You are disgusting and look like a clown.
— Kamala4Prez (@PlainJane357) October 20, 2024
Why can’t you support your candidate without being disrespectful to the black woman running against him?
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) October 20, 2024
Misogyny is alive & well in the @NFL. I guess they are OK with this.
— Chris Wozney (@ChrisWozney) October 20, 2024
Disparaging an educated and accomplished Black woman is certainly a choice. Maybe you’ve taken one too many hits to the head playing ball. Wish you well either way.
— Tonya Bailey (@tbailey1976) October 20, 2024
You can choose whoever but wearing is Disgraceful
— KMEGA_405 (@Kmega4) October 19, 2024
Criticism of Bell came after Brown himself stirred up ire by saying during Saturday’s rally, “I know the media is going to call me crazy, me and Trump crazy for having me speaking here, but I want to make this clear, we are not. They are. You know, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, do you really know they want to put tampons in the boy’s bathroom? Is that crazy? That’s really insane, right?”
“And by the way, Tampon Tim Walz, he isn’t a real football coach. He could never guard me,” added the Super Bowl champion.
Of course, not everyone was upset with the t-shirt that alluded to the vice president’s high-profile past relationships as many cheered the design and wondered where they could buy one of their own while Brown served up another contrast with “Dudes for Trump vs Dudes for Kamala.”
Dudes for Trump vs Dudes for Kamala #CTESPN pic.twitter.com/mNHo0DzlTd
— AB (@AB84) October 21, 2024
Omg this is amazing!!!!!
— MAGA Michelle S (@MAGAMichelleS69) October 19, 2024
Le’Based Bell
— Jaz | SWOOP| DH (@JazCrypto) October 19, 2024
Where can people buy that shirt?
— JohnBoy (@JohnBoy6969696) October 21, 2024
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