About

A Progressive Mind In a MAGA Body is a catchphrase derived from the title of an April 2025 New York Times article positively profiling Twitch streamer Hasan Piker (HasanAbi), with many perceiving the implication that MAGA supporters are fit and healthy. The title garnered criticism online following the publication of the article, with many finding it arguably inaccurate and cringeworthy. The phrase additionally inspired memes in which it is attributed to funny images representing true "MAGA bodies." In response to the backlash, the New York Times changed the title of the editorial to "A Progressive Mind in a Body Made for the ‘Manosphere.’"

Origin

On April 27th, 2025, the New York Times^[1] published an editorial by Jack Crosbie on streamer Hasan Piker, largely celebrating him as a positive voice for leftists. The article was originally titled "A Progressive Mind In a MAGA Body" but was later changed to "A Progressive Mind In A Body Made for the 'Manosphere.'"

The article's content was also criticized online, with one of the main points of criticism being the inclusion of a photo of Hasan in the article showing a chat message in the background on his computer that reads, "I'd ph--k this idf b---h to death and make his mother shove missles up her a--. Pusssyy assss bitches." This was later cropped out of the article.^[9]

Spread

The title of the article became the subject of criticism and memes in late April 2025, with many wondering what the writer meant by "MAGA body," suggesting it comes off as claiming MAGA supporters are fit and health-conscious. Others simply found the article and its title cringeworthy and too supportive of Hasan Piker, suggesting it's a "puff piece."

On April 27th, 2025, X^[2] user @DougMackeyCase posted a screenshot of the article, writing, "Absolute state of the NYT," garnering over 20,000 likes in two days. The screenshot was posted to the /r/facepalm^[3] subreddit shortly after, titled, "What is a 'MAGA Body'?" garnering over 230 upvotes in the same span of time.

Later that day, X^[4] user @Geiger_Capital posted the screenshot, writing, "The NYT is now referring to being a normal fit person as having a 'MAGA body.' Essentially saying that being fat or disgusting is now associated with being left-wing," garnering over 2,800 likes in two days.

The screenshot was posted to the /r/popculturechat^[5] subreddit later that day, titled, "NY Times facing backlash for calling Hasan Piker 'progressive in a MAGA body,'" garnering over 2,400 upvotes in two days.

Also on April 27th, 2025, X^[6] user @tolstoybb posted a photo of documentarian Michael Moore, writing, "A progressive mind in a MAGA body," garnering over 4,000 likes in two days. Later that night, X^[7] user @luke_metro posted a meme using the same phrase over an image of American actor Alan Ritchson, garnering over 20,000 likes in two days.

In response to the reactions to the title, Hasan Piker made a post to X^[8] that night in response to a post criticizing the title, reading, "these guys are too stupid to understand that this title was wrong because most maga weirdos don’t actually hit the gym or have a healthy diet," garnering over 57,000 likes in two days.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References