AUSTIN, TEXAS: Podcaster and UFC color commentator Joe Rogan and Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently slammed MSNBC for a tweet with an article about the "far-right's obsession with fitness." The piece apparently linked the fitness and nutrition efforts of right-wingers to Adolf Hitler and White supremacist ideology.
Interestingly, the column, which originally dates back to 2022, resurfaced and gained traction after MSNBC's official Twitter account reposted it. "The far right's obsession with fitness is going digital," read the caption of the TV channel's post. Soon the tweet received backlash from the netizens, which included Rogan and Musk.
'You're a Nazi if you work out'
The column claimed that researchers have discovered "fascist fitness" groups online that are "radicalizing young men with neo-Nazi and White supremacist extremist ideologies." Men are allegedly given "health tips and strategies for positive physical changes" as part of recruitment tactics before being exposed to "far-right content." Adolf Hitler's name was mentioned in the column as well in an effort to discredit the "far-right" movement's interest in health and fitness.
Rogan and Musk wasted no time in taking a dig at MSNBC's claims. "Being healthy is "far right." Holy f**k", stated Rogan. On the other hand, Musk tweeted, "MSNBC thinks you're a nazi if you work out lmaooo," which went viral and has since received over 5 million views.
'Exercise is nazi'
This is not the first time MSNBC has been criticized by the Internet for the article in question. In 2022, the organization was mocked by Washington Examiner editor Seth Mandel, who jokingly said, "Exercise is nazi," based on the article. As the article resurfaced after MSNBC posted it to their Twitter account, people made sure to let their thoughts known on the topic. A user wrote, "The left thinks that being healthy, strong and fit is now a far right obsession. I'm okay with being far right vs far left then." "Weak people make better slaves," wrote one, while another expressed, "How am I supposed to get past this headline. Getting fit is contributing to white supremacy now? What in the actual f**k. Bro." "How is it far right being obsessed with being healthy? You guys give the far right ammo with these stupid click bait headlines," noted a user who thinks that such articles only help to promote the far-right.