Nate Bargatze facing cancellation from the left for attending UFC 250 White House event: 'Team Fascism'
The UFC 250 event at the White House was an unabashed celebration of America's 250th anniversary and patriotism toward the United States. Which is precisely why so many on the political left were, and are, furious about it.
Unsurprisingly for such a large, historic event, there were notable attendees from all across different fields and professions. Including comedian Nate Bargatze. Bargatze, who steadfastly avoids politics in his comedy and in his personal life, was photographed at the UFC White House event.
Harmless enough, right? It's a non-political event, showcasing one of the most popular sports in the country. But in the world of the extraordinarily angry online left, it was evidence that Bargatze is fascist. Seriously.
"Comedian" and former television show host W. Kamau Bell attacked Bargatze for existing at the White House, saying in a new Substack post on the 10 rules he invented for "nice White guys" that going there made him part of "Team Fascism."
"Don’t be in a photo with fascists," Bell wrote. "The easiest way to not be photographed with fascists is to not go to places where fascists coagulate."
"If you do go to a place where fascists are coagulating, then you had better have a good reason… like a John Brown/Inglourious Basterds good reason," he continued, apparently implying that anyone going to the White House should be there to assassinate Donald Trump or other prominent Republicans currently in government.
"If you don’t have a good reason to be hanging out with fascists, then congratulations! You are now a member of Team Fascism," he continued. "No one cares how much you wanted to see the fights at the White House."
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As punishment for his transgression, Bell goes to demand penance from Bargatze.
"If you don’t want to be a member of Team Fascism, then after we see you with fascists, it is up to you to actively and immediately begin digging yourself out of the fascism hole and working your way back to the correct side of history," he wrote. "For the record, a statement from your rep or a social media post — or really anything short of immediate real world action doesn’t count."
"If you don’t want to do the work required to dig yourself out the fascism hole," he added. "CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE NOW A MEMBER OF TEAM FASCISM!"
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
This post was shared over 500 times and received over 2,800 likes. Accusing Nate Bargatze of being a fascist for attending a UFC event at the White House. The Daily Beast shared it approvingly, also criticizing Bargatze. Welcome to the modern left.
It goes without saying, but this is nonsense. Athletes who visited the Joe Biden White House to celebrate their championship were not suddenly members of Team Auto Pen. They were not endorsing the Biden administration's extremist policies. They were simply being honored at the White House. Bargatze can attend an event at the White House without it being seen as an endorsement of all of Trump's policies.
Even if it were an endorsement, that does not justify Bell's absurd reaction. Obviously the Trump administration is not fascist or engaging in fascism. It's not worth explaining this, because Bell and his supporters aren't interested. They've created a fantasy world, and their only mission in life is opposing their own fictional creation. As they become increasingly disconnected from reality, the hyperbole grows.
But more importantly? As a society, as a culture, we're not doing this anymore. Celebrities should not, and will not, be cancelled for going to a UFC event. Bell can try all he wants, but the culture has moved past the absurdities of 2020. We had an election on this in 2024, and Bell's on Team Loser. No matter what Bargatze thinks about politics, at least he's not on that side.