The woman behind MAGA's empathy war

The Rise of Anti-Empathy Rhetoric

Thanks to Elon Musk, many Americans became aware earlier this year that the MAGA movement views empathy as something negative. Musk, the CEO of Tesla, made headlines when he claimed that cruelty is not the issue, but rather that empathy is a flaw in Western civilization. During an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast in February, he stated, “The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.” He went on to compare “the empathy response” to a computer bug, suggesting that caring about others could lead to the downfall of the human race.

Musk was not alone in his views. His rhetoric drew from the ideas of Gad Saad, a Canadian professor who presents himself as an evolutionary behavioral scientist. However, Saad's background is in marketing and management, with no formal training in biology. In 2024, he began promoting the idea that empathy has become a “cancer,” arguing that it lacks a “stopping mechanism” and could ultimately harm humanity. This pseudo-scientific argument, while unscientific, resonates with certain audiences, which is why Saad frequently appears on platforms like Rogan’s show.

Despite the lack of scientific backing, the anti-empathy narrative continues to gain traction. Studies on wars, poverty, and other crises reveal that humanity still suffers from a lack of empathy, not an excess. Yet, the rhetoric surrounding empathy has shifted, with figures like Musk and Saad framing it as a threat to civilization.

A Woman’s Role in the War on Empathy

While Musk and Saad have popularized the anti-empathy discourse, the right’s war on empathy actually began with a woman. Allie Beth Stuckey, a fundamentalist Christian influencer, has played a significant role in reshaping the narrative around empathy. Unlike Saad and Musk, Stuckey does not view empathy as a failure of evolution. Instead, she denies the scientific reality of prehistoric dinosaurs and believes the Bible forbids women from being pastors. Despite this, she has dedicated herself to reinterpreting the teachings of Jesus, portraying him as a harsh disciplinarian whose “love” has little to do with empathy.

Stuckey’s book, “Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion,” was released in late 2024, but the idea for it originated in a 2022 episode of her podcast “Relatable.” Although she hadn’t yet coined the term “toxic empathy,” her core argument was clear. She argued that feeling too much for someone can blind individuals to reality, leading them to ignore objective truth in favor of emotions.

What Stuckey calls “objective truth” is anything but. Her views include the belief that being gay is wrong, that women should submit to men, that immigrants are dangerous, and that the only meaningful racism in America is “anti-white.” These ideas reflect a long-standing argument within the Christian right, where kindness and compassion are often seen as incompatible with true Christian love. According to this perspective, denying someone equality or dignity may be painful, but it is justified as a form of deeper love that saves them from hell.

Packaging Bigotry as Feminine

Stuckey’s ability to frame her arguments in a hyper-feminine aesthetic has helped her reach a broader audience. Her podcast, “Relatable,” and its mid-century woman’s magazine-style logo, along with her soft blonde hair and pastel clothing, create an image of gentle femininity. This packaging allows her to present her views as harmless, even as they promote bigotry and intolerance.

However, this approach is more than just a marketing strategy. By using feminine aesthetics, Stuckey disguises her messages as progressive, making them more palatable to audiences who might otherwise reject them. This tactic is similar to how the right often uses women as the face of anti-feminism, leveraging their perceived self-interest to gain credibility.

Stuckey’s influence extends beyond her own platform. She has managed to convince some liberal audiences that she is a harmless figure, even as she promotes harmful ideologies. For example, an episode of her podcast that appeared to focus on “fixing your period” was actually about scaring women away from birth control by falsely claiming it is dangerous.

The Power of Performance

Stuckey’s speaking style is far from stereotypically feminine. She speaks with brash confidence, a trait often associated with men. Her ability to deliver absurd statements, such as mocking the reality of dinosaurs, with unwavering self-assurance makes her particularly effective in the age of social media. In a world where performance often outweighs facts, her confidence gives her a powerful platform.

For most women, there is an expectation to appear humble, regardless of how right they believe they are. But Stuckey has carved out a space where she can act like a pompous bully, dismissing dissent without hesitation. This role is typically reserved for men, and it highlights the unique power she holds in shaping the anti-empathy narrative.

In a society increasingly driven by vibes over facts, Stuckey’s message gains traction. She has successfully weaponized her gender to attack empathy, positioning herself as someone who experiences no empathy at all. Her work serves as a reminder of how easily harmful ideas can be disguised as progressive or feminine.