When it comes to reading and hearing things in a public forum, there’s almost nothing worse than toxic masculinity. Without fail, when something non-traditional comes up, some trashy jerk is there to say it’s not “manly.” And there are plenty of outlets for guys like this, unfortunately.
That’s where we find Joe Lonsdale. He’s the filthy rich co-founder of data analytics firm Palantir, and like all toxic males, he has an opinion. Now you have to hear it.
Responding to news that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was taking 6 months of paternity leave to spend time with his newborn twins, Joe sent out a tweet that could have come from the desk of Joe Rogan or Tucker Carlson.
Lonsdale thinks guys who take time off to be with their babies are losers.
Now, we thought in this day and age that only a jerk like Trump even uses the word “loser” anymore. But Joe is here to let you know that losers do indeed abound, and they look like good, loving dads.
Wow. Great for fathers to spend time w their kids and support moms, but any man in an important position who takes 6 months of leave for a newborn is a loser.
In the old days men had babies and worked harder to provide for their future – that’s the correct masculine response.
— Joe Lonsdale (@JTLonsdale) October 27, 2021 [1]
First off, declaring something “the correct masculine response” is a major red flag. This idiot thinks there’s a way that men should do things in order to be considered a man.
But that’s not all there is to unpack in that tweet. He talks about men “supporting moms,” as though they’re doing some favor instead of just being an actual parent. He’s probably the kind of guy who thinks dads who miss the game on TV on Sunday are sacrificing in order to “babysit” their own kids.
Add to that the fact that he knows there’s no “mom” in this equation — Pete and his husband Chasten are gay, after all — and Lonsdale sounds more and more like Joe Rogan with every word.
Insisting on traditional gender roles is for losers, Joe.
Twitter had some thoughts:
I proudly took my full paternity leave and would do it again. Turns out it helped me win even more. https://t.co/7HOVCwZ2F2 [2]
— Alexis Ohanian 7️⃣7️⃣6️⃣ (@alexisohanian) October 27, 2021 [3]
The correct masculine response is to shut up. https://t.co/RsabWdDEpe [4]
— Calvin's Brew ☕️ (@CalvinsBrew) October 27, 2021 [5]
Why is it the softest looking dudes paying for glamor shots for twitter think they can lecture anyone on masculinity? https://t.co/7OkHWMkW5g [6]
— American Propagandist (@ArmyStrang) October 27, 2021 [7]
Why are white straight men so fragile? https://t.co/KxdSSt5VKR [8]
— Justin McLachlan (@justinmclachlan) October 28, 2021 [9]
In the old days people didn't look like this https://t.co/MTQihrhfn8 [10] pic.twitter.com/GW9mEasj4m [11]
— spookler (@socialactavis) October 28, 2021 [12]
Heading out for 4 months myself starting Monday. In a two income household gotta protect mom's career too. https://t.co/8xZAocTGmV [13]
— Rolfe Winkler (@RolfeWinkler) October 27, 2021 [14]
I have 8 kids and took multi-week pat leave each time. I did so while I was in an "important position" here at Microsoft, as if that makes a lick of difference.
(Also, the "correct masculine response" to ideas you don't like is not to call someone a loser.) https://t.co/mj9RNq1Dvu [15]
— Ben Rudolph (@BenThePCGuy) October 27, 2021 [16]
Huge surprise that Joe Lonsdale would move his family from the Bay Area to new libertarian/q-anon mecca Austin, where he can totally bro out and have the correct masculine response to things. https://t.co/smWx9BuEcp [17]
— Lisa Braun Dubbels (@lisadubbels) October 28, 2021 [18]
I took two years. the happiest and more fulfilling of my entire life. being that for my kid was having an important position, for sure.
it is sad that there are people in positions of power who see choosing life and joy as failure. https://t.co/NCiOW3u7jH [19]
— javier 💚 (@infrahumano) October 28, 2021 [20]