Comedian Nate Bargatze is under fire for attending this past Saturday’s “UFC Freedom 250” – the seven-bout ultimate fighting spectacle at the White House.
The controversial event emerged out of a long-time friendship between President Donald Trump and UFC founder Dana White.
Held on the White House lawn under what’s called “The Claw,” the octagon stage was surrounded by between 4,000 and 5,000 attendees, including the Nashville comic. After an image of the family-friendly Bargatze at the event was shared on social media, numerous individuals purporting to be fans of Nate took to various platforms to denounce his presence.
The visceral reaction didn’t have to do with Bargatze being a fan of the UFC, but rather that he would dare attend anything with any connection to President Trump.
The comic was also criticized for taking pictures at the White House with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Speaker Mike Johnson and podcaster Joe Rogan.
In response to the unhinged harassment, a spokesperson for Bargatze said the comedian, “Is not political nor is anything he produces.” They also noted Nate appreciates supporters “from both sides of the aisle.”
While some may question his affinity for the UFC, Nate Bargatze owes neither an apology nor explanation to anyone. The attempt to shame and cancel him is a reckless, irresponsible, and immature response to a raw partisan attack.
The rise of the current cancel culture is an example of a coarsening climate that is increasingly void of a generosity of spirit. Gracious disagreement is quickly becoming a dying virtue.
While the controversy may seem like a new development, public shaming has been a tactic of ideological revolutions and a tool used by people in positions of authority or influence for a very long time. Attempts to ostracize individuals or entire movements date back hundreds or even thousands of years.
Back in 1077, the Roman Emperor Henry IV was sparring with Pope Gregory VII over who had the authority to appoint bishops. The pope grew weary of Henry and excommunicated him from the Catholic Church. The emperor had to publicly plead with Gregory to reconsider, which he eventually did – but not before embarrassing him.
Though a Christian, Nate Bargatze is not a victim of religious intolerance here, but he is nevertheless being caught up in the wake of political intolerance. It’s the same energy and edginess that has attempted to shame Christians who refuse to bend a knee to the spirit of the age.
Radical activists have long attempted to publicly shame Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips. The Colorado baker has repeatedly and consistently refused to use his creative gifts to design cakes for same-sex weddings or other sexually deviant or demonic activities. He’s been called a bigot, and his business has been boycotted.
Hobby Lobby’s David Green has been likewise publicly besmirched, but this time for refusing to cover the cost of abortifacients in the company health plan. Then there was high school football coach Joe Kennedy, who was fired and whom critics mocked for praying publicly.
In all three examples, it took expensive legal battles – and victories at the Supreme Court – to settle and (somewhat) silence the harassers.
According to media reports, Nate Bargatze runs the risk of losing ticket sales to his performances – all because he dared go to a sporting event endorsed by President Trump. He can weather the criticism, but that ideological aggression can’t be ignored because it doesn’t just threaten a comedian – but also Christians. When bullies are tolerated in one sphere, they’re empowered in another.
As America approaches its 250th birthday, our country is in desperate need of a cultural reset. We pray the Apostle Paul’s words to, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18) will permeate the hostile climate and forge a renewed warmth of spirit.
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