House of Strauss β’ 31 implied HN points β’ 24 Feb 26
- Sports culture depoliticized briefly under Biden but has swung back since Trump returned, with more athletes openly appearing with him. This shift is helped by the decline of corporate media and platforms that reduce fear of public backlash.
- The "Blue Veto" describes progressive-media shaming that once forced public figures to hide conservative ties, but its bite is diminishing as people grow more willing to shrug off criticism. That dynamic means public appearances with Trump matter less for stopping or advancing him than they used to.
- Athletes, especially in contact sports, often hold different political views than coastal elites, and celebratory acts (songs, meetings) likely reflect real affinity rather than mere naivete. Older patriotic cultural symbols are being recycled and embraced by new audiences, signaling a change in sports culture.