The Wire

Magazine’s Protein Report Stirs A Lot of Debate

May 8, 2025

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Well, just when you think the leftist media can’t contort itself into weirder shapes, Vanity Fair shows up to remind us: oh yes, yes they can. The latest target of their ideological outrage? Not foreign policy. Not inflation. Not even TikTok bans. Nope—it’s protein. You know, the essential macronutrient that every human being needs to live. Apparently, that’s now a MAGA conspiracy.

In a piece that reads like it was written after a kale smoothie and a scroll through Tumblr circa 2014, Vanity Fair’s Keziah Weir managed to turn protein intake—yes, protein—into a culture war issue. According to her, our collective interest in staying fit, eating better, and (gasp!) building muscle is somehow a byproduct of the “manosphere helmed by Donald Trump.” Because apparently, when Joe Rogan talks about hitting the gym or The Liver King eats raw liver on Instagram, it’s not health advice—it’s political propaganda. The gains are no longer just in the gym, folks—they’re in the voting booth, too.

Weir’s argument is so wildly unhinged that it’s hard to tell if it’s satire or a cry for help. She laments the rise of “protein-maxing health obsessives,” accuses them of toxic masculinity, and then—wait for it—connects it all back to Trump’s 2015 campaign announcement. That’s right: somehow, grilled chicken breasts, protein shakes, and gym selfies are all tied to a guy who loves Big Macs. If this is the level of investigative journalism coming from Vanity Fair, someone should probably check what they’re putting in their morning smoothie.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t journalism. This is resentment masquerading as cultural critique. The article tries to string together a bizarre theory that health-conscious men are part of some covert right-wing insurrection aimed at toppling progressive ideals—by lifting weights and eating meat. You really can’t make this stuff up. Apparently, if you care about macros, you’re just one scoop of whey away from storming the Capitol.

Social media users weren’t having it, thankfully. The backlash was swift and ruthless. One X user called it “one of the dumbest, most hate-inspired screeds I’ve ever seen.” Utah mayor Trent Staggs jumped in too, saying, “You know things are going good when Vanity Fair is upset about protein.” And another commenter nailed it: “Mocks basic fitness as a far-right scheme, skipping science for dumb clicks.” Bingo.

Uhmm, maybe “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is a thing…like this has to be rage bait. I refuse to believe someone took the time to blame the importance of protein of fucking MAGA 💀 pic.twitter.com/nk0buRwWqg

— Webbie (@webbie2495) May 5, 2025

Protein is not a political statement. It’s a dietary necessity. Your body doesn’t care if you voted for Trump, Biden, or a ham sandwich—it still needs protein to repair muscles, produce enzymes, and, you know, exist. Trying to slap a red hat on a carton of eggs or vilify a chicken breast because men eat them is not just laughable—it’s a masterclass in media self-parody.

But this is what happens when media outlets lose the plot. They trade facts for clicks, reality for ideology, and nutritional science for half-baked political hot takes. Weir’s piece ends on an unintentional note of comedy, wondering whether this “protein path” will lead to “transcendence or gunshots.” That’s not just melodramatic—it’s offensive. If your worldview is so warped that a grilled steak feels threatening, it’s not the world that needs changing. It’s your therapist.

Here’s a thought: maybe Americans of all political stripes just want to be stronger, healthier, and less reliant on the sugar-and-soy processed sludge that gets pushed as food in modern supermarkets. Maybe they’re tired of being told that taking care of their bodies is toxic, selfish, or somehow patriarchal. And maybe—just maybe—they don’t need a lecture from Vanity Fair to figure out that protein is good for them.