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Gay Twitter thinks the ‘Twink of Death’ predicted Pete Buttigieg’s early campaign end

Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg has quit the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. (Getty)

Pete Buttigieg ending his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination appeared to fulfil an ancient (at least, in gay terms) prophecy.

Buttigieg announced on March 1 that he was suspending his bid for the White House, admitting that “the truth is that the path has narrowed to a close, for our candidacy if not for our cause”.

“Our goal has always been to help unify Americans to defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values,” he said.

“And so we must recognise that at this point in the race, the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to step aside and help bring our party and our country together.”

Pundits have spent the last few hours analysing Buttigieg’s words in an attempt to uncover the real reason for his sudden, shock decision.

But over on Gay Twitter, there is a single, prevailing theory: the Twink of Death prophecy.

Back in December, a viral tweet predicted that Buttigieg would go the same way as Beto O’Rourke and Kalama Harris, sharing pictures of a young Democrat who had previously supported both also-rans before switching his allegiance to Buttigieg.

“Rule of threes,” the tweet read. “This twink of death is coming for Pete next.”

Following the announcement from Pete Buttigieg, many were astounded at the twink’s apparent power.

Though some were – understandably – confused about the whole thing.

Quickly, now Pete Buttigieg is gone, speculation turned to who the twink would go after next.

The Twink of Death will campaign for whoever wins the Democratic race.

Following Buttigieg’s exit, the Twink – real name Danny Wein – is endorsing two candidates.

“Moving forward, I believe both Biden and Warren would make fantastic presidents capable of bringing our country together to pass common-sense, equitable reforms,” he told PinkNews.

Though he doesn’t identify with Sanders’ politics, Wein said that he “can’t help but be inspired by my friends getting active in the process to support him”.

“If we all did a bit less tweeting and a bit more door knocking, our country would be far better off,” he continued.

“At the end of the day, we’re one party with a singularly important goal: defeating Donald Trump and putting Democrats into office up and down the ticket.

I plan on enthusiastically volunteering, campaigning, and voting for whomever wins the Democratic nomination.

Wein has devoted recent weeks travelling the country with Buttigieg’s advance team, setting up rallies and staffing events.

He said that despite the former mayor’s campaign folding, he wouldn’t change a thing.

Laughing about the “Twink of Death” meme, he said: “Given the extraordinarily diverse and qualified crop of candidates that Democrats fielded for president this cycle, I can’t imagine a better internet claim to fame.

“Whether due to my curse (or the complexity of coalition politics), their departures from the race take nothing away from the immensely bright future they each have in the party.”

Addressing the criticism from parts of the LGBT+ community that Buttigieg isn’t “gay enough” to truly represent them, Wein defended the former candidate’s right to “display his identity in whatever way feels authentic to him”.

“To me, being queer is about radical inclusiveness,” he explained.

“And lest we forget about the historic nature of a proud, openly gay candidate having come from nowhere to win the Iowa Caucus less than a decade after gay marriage was legalised by a single vote on the Supreme Court.

“While people are debating whether Pete is ‘gay enough’, I have no doubt that the visibility of his campaign has saved the lives of countless queer youth. That should be something we can all come together as a community to celebrate, regardless of politics.”

 

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