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“MAGA Warrior” Congressman Faces Widespread Ridicule After Posting Gay Puppy Play Video on Social Media
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Over the weekend, Florida Republican Congressman Randy Fine, who has repeatedly branded himself as a "MAGA warrior," posted a video clip to his social media accounts showing men engaged in "puppy play," a kink subculture that incorporates role-playing with canine gear and is sometimes visible at LGBTQ+ Pride events and within queer kink spaces . The congressman characterized the video as evidence of a "crisis" in America, writing, “If we don’t tackle this mental illness, this is what will be roaming our streets all across America. Leftism must be crushed” .
If we don’t tackle this mental illness, this is what will be roaming our streets all across America.
Leftism must be crushed. pic.twitter.com/hzoj6mc7DW
— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) September 17, 2025
Almost immediately, Fine’s post drew sharp ridicule and incredulity from across the political spectrum, especially from LGBTQ+ advocates and allies. Rather than generating the moral panic he seemed to seek, the video became a focal point for jokes, memes, and pointed commentary about conservative fixations with queer sexuality.
Social media users, including prominent figures, responded with humor and criticism. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) quote-tweeted Fine’s post, asking, “Why are you tweeting your private likes?”—a line that quickly went viral for its succinct and devastating effect .
Why are you tweeting your private likes? https://t.co/jGXVucXOtV
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 20, 2025
Other users echoed the sentiment, noting that the majority of left-leaning Americans were unaware of the existence of puppy play until Fine’s post. One user wrote, “Lmao what?!? 99% of leftists had no idea this existed until you posted it, you massive weirdo!” While another commented, “you will never in a million years come across this unless you specifically search for (b)it” .
The commentary was not limited to jokes. Some critics suggested that Fine’s attempt to link kink culture with mental illness was both misguided and harmful, perpetuating stigma against LGBTQ+ individuals and kink practitioners. “Every time a MAGA dude says ‘mental illness,’ what I actually hear is ‘this made my wee-wee twitch and I don’t know how to deal with it,’” one user posted, highlighting the projection and discomfort often underlying such outrage .
Puppy play, like other forms of kink, occupies a complex space within the LGBTQ+ community. While not representative of all LGBTQ+ people, kink communities have long existed at the intersection of sexual freedom and self-expression, with some visibility at Pride events and within broader queer culture .
Conservative politicians have increasingly targeted such expressions as evidence of “moral decline” or social crisis, often conflating consensual adult behavior with public indecency or mental illness . LGBTQ+ advocates note that such rhetoric is not only inaccurate but dangerous, fueling stigma and misunderstanding.
Organizations such as the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) emphasize that consensual kink among adults—including forms like puppy play—is neither a mental illness nor inherently harmful, and that visibility at Pride serves to affirm the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community . The American Psychiatric Association has also clarified that consensual sexual practices among adults, including BDSM and kink, are not considered pathological if they do not interfere with daily functioning or harm others .
Rather than retreating in the face of conservative outrage, many LGBTQ+ social media users and organizations responded with humor and advocacy. The incident became an opportunity to educate the public about kink, consent, and the importance of sexual autonomy within the LGBTQ+ community .
LGBTQ Nation, which covered the story, highlighted how Fine’s attempt to frame puppy play as emblematic of leftist “decadence” was instead interpreted as evidence of conservative obsession with queer sexuality. “The response suggested otherwise. Instead of sparking moral panic, his post turned into a running joke about conservative obsession with queer sexuality—a fixation critics say says more about them than about the people they’re trying to demonize” .
Advocates stressed the significance of Pride events as safe spaces for diverse expressions of identity, including kink, and pointed to the need for continued resistance to attempts at shaming or pathologizing LGBTQ+ sexualities .
The incident speaks to broader political battles over LGBTQ+ rights, sexual freedom, and the increasingly visible role of kink and alternative sexualities within public discourse. While some conservative figures continue to push for restrictions on public displays of queer culture, advocates argue that such efforts only reinforce stigma and ignore the real issues facing LGBTQ+ communities, such as discrimination, violence, and health disparities .
The rapid and widespread mockery directed at Congressman Fine underscores a shift in public attitudes: rather than fueling outrage, attempts to shame queer sexuality are often met with resistance, humor, and calls for education. As one social media user summed up, “I never knew this existed until you posted it. Dafuk are you watching, man?” .
As debates over LGBTQ+ visibility and kink continue, advocates urge education and nuanced discussion, rather than sensationalism or moral panic. The episode serves as a reminder that sexual diversity is a fact of life, and that attempts to shame or pathologize LGBTQ+ practices often backfire—turning intended outrage into opportunities for dialogue and solidarity.
LGBTQ+ organizations continue to encourage respectful engagement and the celebration of diversity, emphasizing that Pride is about affirming all identities and expressions, including those at the margins. As the community pushes back against stigmatizing rhetoric, the message remains clear: visibility, freedom, and inclusion are non-negotiable values in the ongoing struggle for equality .
