MSNBC host Joe Scarborough suggested on Election Day that voters could be heading to the polls with the intent to reject figures like Pat McAfee and the broader "manosphere." Scarborough stated on "Morning Joe" that he had "had enough" of McAfee "ruining College GameDay" and posited that the election could serve as a referendum on McAfee and individuals exhibiting "high-testosterone" behavior.
Scarborough's comments referenced a recent incident where McAfee expressed feeling unsafe during an appearance at the University of Utah, which prompted FBI advice for him to wear a bulletproof vest. Scarborough drew a parallel between this sentiment and the potential for a widespread rejection of what he termed the "manosphere," which he implied had gained traction in 2024.
However, polling data from Gallup does not appear to support Scarborough's assertion. According to a recent Gallup report, the primary concerns for voters in the current election cycle include the economy, healthcare, war, income, gas prices, immigration, abortion, the Middle East, crime, data centers, and climate change. Neither "Pat McAfee" nor the "manosphere" were listed as significant voter concerns in the poll, nor have they been prominently featured by political candidates in campaign messaging.
This is not the first time Scarborough's political commentary has drawn attention. In March 2024, he described President Joe Biden as being at his "best Biden ever" and possessing a sharp grasp of global affairs, a characterization that contrasted with widespread public perception at the time.