In the midst of her gubernatorial campaign in California, Republican Caitlyn Jenner claimed she would be able to take on the "woke cancel culture" and Silicon Valley after comparing it to the Soviet Union.
She posted of her prowess on Twitter.
Jenner reasoned, "I took on the Soviet Union and won"—not referring to political or military experience but her win at the 1976 Olympics where she won the gold medal in the decathlon.
Jenner said:
"In 1976 I took on the Soviet Union and won. Today Silicon Valley's mono-culture seems to espouse the same values. I will take on Big Tech's woke cancel culture and win for all of California and America."
However, Jenner failed to mention any plans to address the issues mentioned—beyond touting her decades old Olympic win.
\u201cSilicon Valley has a stifling intellectual climate with its mono-culture that only allows one viewpoint to be expressed. It seems to espouse the same socialist values as the Soviet Union.\u201d - Delian Asparouhov— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn Jenner) 1621867440
You aren\u2019t the only one that year to take on the Soviets. Sit down.— \u2139\ufe0fK\ud83c\udd70\ufe0f\u2139\ufe0fK\ud83c\udd70\ufe0f \ud83e\udd73 (E\u2019kai\u2019ka) (@\u2139\ufe0fK\ud83c\udd70\ufe0f\u2139\ufe0fK\ud83c\udd70\ufe0f \ud83e\udd73 (E\u2019kai\u2019ka)) 1621867511
Jenner—who is leaning heavily on her past Olympic win—even included it in her Twitter bio saying “Joined my most important race yet, the race for Governor of California"...just in case anyone forgot she was a former track and field gold medalist.
Its not the first time a politician has stretched to use the Soviet Union to gain ground with voters. In 2008 Sarah Palin claimed being the governor of Alaska meant foreign policy experience because—as she said to ABC News—"They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska."
Within the tweet Jenner included a link to an article by The Daily Mail which talked about how some ultra-wealthy people (Elon Musk for example) have been moving out of California. The reasons cited?
Because they want to find cheaper homes, pay less taxes and see fewer homeless people. The article failed to mention California's population has actually increased every year.
In the first poll since Jenner announced her run for the GOP as governor against the current Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, Jenner only garnered six percent of voter support.
When talking to the LA Times, pollster Mark DiCamillo said:
"Even among Republicans, only 13% say they'd be inclined to vote for her. It's a very poor showing."
Jenner has also been successful in turning LGBTQ+ voters away from her campaign as her first big political stance was to attack transgender youth.
Transgender youth already face alienation and prosocial, inclusive activities like sports can make a profound and positive impact on these young people. Yet, Jenner opposed transgender girls being able to participate in school sports.
One thing is for certain, the people of Twitter weren't having it with Jenner's latest claim.
me thinks you protest too much Ms. I Cancel Trans Kids in Sports. #ProtectTransKids #CaitlynIsaTransTraitor #GOPLiesAboutEverything— \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0fTerri\u26a7Ellen\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0fTerri\u26a7Ellen\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1621867818
So, you think winning a gold medal in the olympics 45 years ago qualifies you for being the governor of CA??? \n\nYour delusions of grandeur are hilarious.— **SoCalGirl** (@**SoCalGirl**) 1621871732
Equating Soviet Russia with Silicon Valley? That\u2019s a really big stretch, like an implausibly big stretch. \n\nDrop out now Caitlyn!— \ud835\udd42\ud835\udd63\ud835\udd5a\ud835\udd64\ud835\udd65\ud835\udd52 \ud835\udd44\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd69\ud835\udd68\ud835\udd56\ud835\udd5d\ud835\udd5d (@\ud835\udd42\ud835\udd63\ud835\udd5a\ud835\udd64\ud835\udd65\ud835\udd52 \ud835\udd44\ud835\udd52\ud835\udd69\ud835\udd68\ud835\udd56\ud835\udd5d\ud835\udd5d) 1621867687
For any of the Kartrashian-Jenner family to claim they are real people, their Instagram and TV show is proof they are very careful what they release. They filter and Photoshop everything. Normal people don't do that. It's all an elaborate facade. They think we're stupid.— Chad Olin (@Chad Olin) 1621893309
Please take her.— sigh (@sigh) 1621886738
You'll never be governor of CA. EVER. You're a washed up reality tv star with no knowledge of what average Americans go through in this country. You definitely don't have what it takes to run the 5th largest economy in the world. Go home.— TheMouthyOne (@TheMouthyOne) 1621874505
I\u2019m so disappointed in you as a human. I\u2019ve been a fan forever. So sad— Pat Foley (@Pat Foley) 1621880061
If Jenner continues to lean solely on celebrity status and controversy to win this election, there will likely continue to be heavy pushback.