Michael Tracey (perhaps ironically) claim that the above are typical MAGA T-shirts, so I had to ask ChatGPT (non-Molech version) about it...
The phrase "I'm not gay, but $20 is $20" is a popular meme and slogan found on T-shirts, mugs, and internet posts. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and cultural context:
Meaning
It's a joke that plays on the idea of someone doing something they normally wouldn’t (in this case, engaging in a same-sex act) in exchange for money — in this case, a relatively small amount, $20. The humor comes from the contradiction:
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The speaker claims not to be gay.
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But is supposedly willing to perform a gay act for just $20, implying financial desperation or a very flexible moral stance.
This is meant to be ironic or absurd, and it's typically delivered tongue-in-cheek. It’s often used to poke fun at ideas of masculinity, sexuality, or cheapness — and sometimes to highlight hypocrisy.
Connection to MAGA or Politics?
There’s no intrinsic or original connection to MAGA (Make America Great Again) or conservative politics. However:
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The meme has been popular among certain right-leaning or "anti-woke" internet circles, where it’s used for shock humor or to mock political correctness.
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Because of that, and the way internet culture overlaps with certain memes, you might see the slogan worn or shared by people in the MAGA crowd, but it's not a MAGA-specific meme.
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It's more of a "frat-boy" humor or edgelord meme, sometimes embraced by people with MAGA affiliations, but also common outside that sphere.
Summary
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Joke meaning: I'm not gay, but I’d do something gay for money = absurd contradiction for laughs.
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Not inherently political, but can be associated with politically incorrect or edgy humor spaces, some of which overlap with MAGA supporters.
Let me know if you want some examples of where it's been used or how it has evolved online.
