New England Patriots' Post Sparks MAGA Anger

Newsweek

2 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A recent post from the New England Patriots, celebrating LGBTQ+ pride and featuring the rainbow pride flag, has sparked backlash from MAGA.
Newsweek has reached out to the Patriots outside of regular working hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
June is officially Pride Month, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a series of protests for gay liberation. This year's Pride month comes at a critical time for LGBTQIA+ people.
In January, shortly after his return to the White House, President Donald Trump's State Department enacted a "one flag policy," banning U.S. embassies and overseas missions from flying pride or Black Lives Matter flags. The Trump administration has also taken multiple steps to unravel protections for transgender people.
A protester holds a rainbow flag during the nationwide "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk in downtown Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.
A protester holds a rainbow flag during the nationwide "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk in downtown Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.
ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
In a post on Sunday, June 1, the New England Patriots wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "We celebrate together." The post included a picture of a large pride flag at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts and has been viewed 6.7 million times as of reporting.
It's not the first time that the New England Patriots have celebrated Pride, having shared a similar photo of the Pride flag at the Gillette Stadium on X over the past five years.
The backlash to the post from MAGA supporters has been swift. Some social media users have shared edited versions of the photo, where the pride flag is replaced with an American flag, writing that they have "fixed" the image.
The account @HumbleCommish wrote on X: "You don't have to do this anymore," in a reply viewed 24,000 times.
@RealConnorOil wrote on X, in a post viewed 35,000 times: "And you call yourself patriots... SHAME ON YOU!" and @fudreaper_ wrote in a post on X viewed 37,000 times: "No one actually wants to see this. Take it down."
However, other social media users have expressed support for the New England Patriots post and criticized the response from MAGA.
@iequalsiplus1 wrote on X: "I love this as it shows the true hate from MAGA. Thank you @Patriots for allowing the true colors of Christian MAGA's to show."
We celebrate together 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/TfltyYpTnz — New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 1, 2025
What People Are Saying
Jon Del Arroz, an author, wrote on X: "Pride is a sin."
@DocDoctorDO, a doctor, wrote on X in a post viewed 113,600 times: "I think these replies are the exact reason why this is so needed. Never seen so much hate for no reason. Luckily the hate is confirmation as to why stuff like this is gonna stay every year."
What's Next
A number of events and celebrations will take place in the U.S. during Pride Month. The annual WorldPride event will be held in Washington D.C., and pride marches and parades will take place in cities including New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.