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ESPN has found itself at the center of controversy ahead of the 2024 Presidential election.
During a recent podcast appearance, ESPN personality Mina Kimes praised Tim Walz for being a football guy who is displaying a “different kind of masculinity.”
“There’s something, to me, really important about seeing someone like this modeling a different kind of masculinity,’ she said. ‘We’re kind of seeing it in the NFL with the Kelces, and Dan Campbell – this idea that ‘big, tough football guy’ isn’t separate from showing emotion and empathy.’
..That’s really powerful in a way that goes far beyond politics and electability, which is the discussion we’re having. There are very few models like that in American public life.’
ESPN was immediately criticized for allowing Kimes to comment on political candidates when it has historically punished anchors like Sage Steele for speaking out about politics.
ESPN suspended Sage Steele for breaking its "ban on politics" for a discussion on an outside podcast.
Mina Kimes just advocated for Tim Walz on an outside podcast.
We asked @ESPN why only Sage was suspended. Head of ESPN PR @jksports wouldn't comment.https://t.co/ppE1fTY5Dn
— OutKick (@Outkick) August 15, 2024
Veteran sports journalist Michelle Tafoya also blasted Kimes on her take about Walz.
I am sincerely embarrassed for @minakimes. And how pathetic that her kind of “masculinity” means more than the candidate’s record, which is abysmal. Sincerely, A Minnesotan https://t.co/f5Y7iKhnzE
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) August 15, 2024
Update: Mina Kimes fired back at Tafoya with this GIF.
pic.twitter.com/wwQlmyHLub https://t.co/lm6pt04fWd
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) August 16, 2024