Republican Congressman Weighs in on Fox News’ "Rules for Men"
A recent segment on Fox News’ "The Five" sparked a heated debate on Capitol Hill, as host Jesse Watters unveiled his "rules for men", a tongue-in-cheek list of guidelines aimed at redefining traditional masculinity. According to an article published on MSNBC, Watters’ list, which includes avoiding activities such as eating soup in public, crossing one’s legs, and drinking from a straw, was met with mixed reactions from Republican congressmen.
As reported by MSNBC, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) weighed in on the issue, telling Fox News, "I don’t drink out of a straw, brother. That’s what the women in my house do." This statement has sparked speculation about whether Burchett was being serious or sarcical. In a statement to MSNBC, Burchett’s office suggested that the "mainstream media" was "grasping at straws" in its coverage of the issue.
The article on MSNBC also revealed that Burchett’s statement did not directly address whether he avoids using straws, leaving room for interpretation. However, in a surprising twist, it was noted that Burchett had previously posed with a milkshake and straw on Instagram just last November, sparking questions about his stance on the issue. "Milkshakes before noon and great responses at the polls in Claiborne and Grainger Counties — can’t beat it!" Burchett wrote in the caption.
Further scrutiny of Burchett’s record on straws revealed that he had signed Trump’s executive order in February seeking to end the "irrational campaign against plastic straws". This move seems to contradict his apparent disdain for straws, leading to questions about his motivations. MSNBC reported that Burchett’s office sent a statement in response to inquiries about his stance on straws, saying, "We are glad that the media is focusing on the issue of straw usage that Americans so deeply care about. My staff is working around the clock to address this problem in response to multiple media inquiries. We urged for Straw Policy to be included in the House version of the Big Beautiful Bill. Now, I am calling on the U.S. Senate to act on this vital issue in their version of the legislation."
MSNBC also reported that Watters’ "rules for men" tour included a question about male companionship, which would be a great topic for discussion given recent studies on male loneliness in the US. However, Watters’ assertion that real men don’t have "male best friends" was met with criticism from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who told Fox News, "Jesse needs a friend."
The debate surrounding Watters’ "rules for men" has raised questions about the role of traditional masculinity in modern society. As MSNBC reported, the issue has sparked a heated discussion on Capitol Hill, with some lawmakers using it as an opportunity to poke fun at Watters’ assertions, while others have taken a more serious stance.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Fox News’ "rules for men" has highlighted the complexities of traditional masculinity and the challenges of redefining what it means to be a man in modern society. As reported by MSNBC, the issue has sparked a lively debate on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers weighing in on the importance of straws, male companionship, and traditional masculinity. According to MSNBC, this debate is likely to continue in the coming weeks and months.
The article was originally published by Hayley Miller on MSNBC.
