Actor John Krasinski, now on the cover of People magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2024, has landed in the middle of a rather strange controversy this week. During an appearance on Fox News's The Five, its host Greg Gutfeld flustered and without justification declared Krasinski to be transgender.
The comment has since generated much confusion and backlash online, leaving viewers in question on whether the intent is legitimate. For the record: John Krasinski is not transgender. He is a cisgender male.
The controversy created discussions on media responsibility and how careless statements may remain unopposed in the public sphere.
Why did Greg Gutfeld say John Krasinski was trans?
Controversy swirled around Greg Gutfeld's comments on the air about John Krasinski being transgender, which aired on Fox News. Gutfeld commented when discussing his latest nod as People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2024.
He quipped,
“I think it’s great that People has announced that a trans, uh, male can be the sexiest one alive.”
He hints (without any basis for the fact) that Krasinski is transgender.
When co-host Jesse Watters expressed doubt at the statement, Gutfeld was quick to assert,
"Yes, he's trans. You know that?"
The claim was also another example of how his identity had been misrepresented since he is a cisgender male and became part of larger discussions about the role media figures play in representing oneself or communities.
John Krasinski’s career and recent recognition as People’s Sexiest Man Alive
John Krasinski has had a varied career as an actor, director, and writer. He is well-known for playing Jim Halpert on NBC's The Office. This famous character became a big part of pop culture during the show's nine seasons, showing Krasinski's skill in comedy and telling stories that people can relate to.
After doing good on The Office, he went into more mature roles. He notably appeared in and directed one of the critically acclaimed horror movies, A Quiet Place, and its sequel. This versatility has seen his popularity generate a firm foothold in Hollywood.
He was recently named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2024. The news came when Krasinski was featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. As for the title, he jokingly told Colbert that he had no idea it was true and thought perhaps someone was playing a trick on him.
Emily Blunt, actress, and his wife, is said to have reacted with laughter at the news.
Greg Gutfeld’s history of controversial remarks
Controversy and criticism surround Greg Gutfeld, with many questioning his strong statements. His remark about John Krasinski being trans shall forever be quoted as an example of a tendency for odd remarks.
Gutfeld has made bizarre statements on air even in the past when, for instance, he once likened LGBTQ+ privacy rights with:
"The most amoral act since slavery."
Advocacy groups protested the remarks, claiming they were misleading and perpetuated ignorance about certain minority groups.
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Fans of John Krasinski’s can stream The Office on Peacock. A Quiet Place and its sequel, A Quiet Place: Day One, are available on Paramount+.
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