Outspoken advocate for marginalized straight white cisgender males in America, Sen. Josh Hawley, was just slapped with a cease and desist letter from Politico demanding he quit using a photo it owns on his campaign merch.
Related: Josh Hawley implies he watches tons of porn and plays lots of video games in whiny little speech
The photo was taken by Francis Chung on January 6, 2021, shortly before the deadly insurrection. Hawley greeted protestors as he was walking into the U.S. Capitol with his fist raised high in the air. The image has since become an emblem of that dark day.
Related: Josh Hawley is getting trolled hard on the eve of the January 6 anniversary
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Last month, the anti-LGBTQ senator’s reelection campaign started peddling ceramic coffee mugs featuring the controversial photo along with the words “Show Me Strong” for $20 a pop. Since then, it has also begun selling beer koozies and t-shirts emblazoned with the image.
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“We do not authorize its use by the Hawley campaign for the purpose of political fundraising, which the campaign has been put on notice of by legal counsel,” a spokesperson for Politico said this week. “We are eagerly awaiting a response, but in the interim again respectfully ask that the campaign immediately cease and desist unauthorized use of the image.”
Related: Josh Hawley and his “manhood” are having a craptastic day on Twitter
Hawley’s spokesperson Kyle Plotkin told E&E News that the campaign hasn’t received any letter and insists its use of the photo is “in full compliance with the law,” though he declined to answer whether the campaign paid to license the image. (We’re guessing it didn’t if Politico sent a cease and desist letter.)
Last month, Hawley insisted the campaign merch “is not a pro-riot mug”, telling HuffPost, “At the time that we were out there, folks were gathered peacefully to protest, and they have a right to do that. They do not have a right to assault cops.”
Now, some tweets…
Why doesn't .@HawleyMO use this pic for his mugs? https://t.co/jQ4JrZwaIS
— OnBakerStreet444 (@OnBakerStreet4) March 14, 2022
JUST IN: Politico just sent a cease-and-desist letter to Josh Hawley, demanding that he stops selling mugs, koozies, and t-shirts with their January 6 photo of him cheering on violent insurrectionists who attacked cops.
He’s selling it right next to “back the blue” merch. pic.twitter.com/GdWiOyffge
— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) March 14, 2022
Josh Hawley profiting off selling mugs, etc. in support of 1/6 insurrection on par for QGOP. Extreme disrespect for democracy, police officers who protected them,etc. The question is why are states electing people who don’t work to better democracy? Shameful behavior.
— Concetta (@concettamon1) March 15, 2022
In addition to being totally despicable, it turns out Josh Hawley may also walk on the wild side of law and order. Does Hawley own the intellectual property rights for the mug he is selling? pic.twitter.com/gdrhGA2LdR
— JOSEPH STIPANOVICH (@stipanoj2) March 15, 2022
???
Of course he stole it, conservatives are thieves https://t.co/KUhKkFeoVK— Mercer Creed ? (@MercerCreed) March 15, 2022
I applaud Politico. It’s interesting how Republicans feel the need to enrich themselves from something so vile as an insurrection against their own govt.
— 🌊🌊BH2020🌊🌊 (@DPanigale18) March 14, 2022
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
Cam
Another pro-Putin Republican stealing something that doesn’t belong to him.
MarcyMayer
Come on, Cam. You’re just envious that Hawley has much better pecs and body than you have. You’ve been consuming too many sour grapes of late. Envying men better looking than you will only lead to sorrow and despair – two things with which you are very familiar.
THAT Steve
Maybe have a woman proofread your replies so you sound like one rather than a gay diva?
BaltoSteve
Oh MM, sweetie, the library is definitely not open for you. That comment. It speak volumes about you and nothing about Cam. Perhaps you could unpack this need to project insecurities with your therapist. It could do you a world of wonder.
plazaro1
My God, such a serious closet case, and sloppy too.
TheAllSeeingEye
Does that mean one might call him a “sloppabottomus”?
Ronbo
The repugnant Republican, Hawley, is NOT a member of the community and please STOP implying that he is.
Side note: need to follow the Queerty Comment Policy. “We aim to provide a fun, entertaining, and enjoyable space that celebrates LGBTQ people and culture. We encourage people to comment on articles and engage in conversations, and we strongly discourage (and will not allow) being mean-spirited.”
Extremist false personal attacks are not “conversations”. If the Left used actual facts – not smears and personal attacks, the moderators could fulfill their job and discourage the hateful and deceptive comments from the Right.
Ronbo
As is, it looks like a food fight in kindergarten.
GayEGO
Oh my! Josh Hawley is a Trump loser!
dadhc
Own the Libs? Hawley might have stolen that, too. The South isn’t gonna rise again electing people like Hawley, Cruz, Gaetz, MTG, & Cawthorn, although I’d bet someone convinced them they will.
white-queer-african
So we have Marcy whatever spewing as usual the same old tired drivel. So if based on previous posts Marcy whatever claims to be a trans woman, does it not realise it will be first to be burnt on the stack by the GOP? The mind boggles with the bizarre stupidity. Then again….
Lol x3.
MarcyMayer
1. Hawley has a great physique; very hot.
2.Hawley will be easily re-elected because he has very high approval ratings in Missouri.
3. Speaking of approval ratings: The very left-wing Markos Moulitsas and Daily Kos conducted a Civiqs poll and it looks BAD for Biden and the Democrats:
Only 37 percent of voters approved of Biden’s overall job performance even after he blamed Putin for inflation, and fifty-four percent disapproved.
Red Wave in November, and then lots of Congressional Committees will be investigation Biden and the Democrats, and Biden will surely be impeached for his handling of Afghanistan and Ukraine. Bwahaha!!!
Cam
This is all the right wing trolls have….whenever anyone would say something about Trump they would shriek back “His wife is hot!”
But we get it troll, you don’t actually want to talk about the anti-American, pro-Putin attitudes of the GOP now.
MarcyMayer
Oh, Cam, you are silly and preposterous, but at least you have the courage of your convictions. I’ll say that for you.
I noticed that you don’t want to talk about how UNPOPULAR Biden and the Democrats are. Incidentally, I didn’t – and still don’t – like Trump. He is a coarse, crude, narcissistic blowhard. I voted for the Libertarian Party candidates for POTUS in 2016 & 2020. I agree with you about Trump’s behavior, lying, and personality, however, I also agree with many of his policies regarding his America First agenda. Putting America first before other nations is the patriotic thing to do
With regard to Josh Hawley: NPR – a left-wing mouthpiece – had this to say about Hawley not long ago: “The once relatively unknown lawmaker voted against certifying Joe Biden as President on Jan. 6, 2021. A year later, Josh Hawley’s poll numbers are high in Missouri and he’s raising millions from people in his home state and around the country.”
MarcyMayer
Cam:
What you fail to realize is that there are LGBTQ+ people who are moderates and conservatives politically. Who believe in smaller government, lower taxes on the middle and working classes, capitalism, opposing crime, opposing America being the world’s policeman, who support civil liberties – such as freedom of conscience, speech and religion – who care deeply about the LGBTQ+ community, and they want to protect and extend the rights of gay men, lesbians, and trans people.
Instead of hounding, judging, and dismissing people who don’t see the world through your narrow ideological lens, perhaps you should find common ground with them. Isn’t that what Joe Biden said should be done when he gave his Inaugural Address? Yes, of course he did.
mailliw110
But what about Hillary’s emails and BENGHAZE?
BaltoSteve
Oh MM, there you go again, trying to deflect the conversation away from the topic at hand. The topic at hand is Hawley’s campaign getting a cease and desist for using an image that is protected by copywrite. And how that is a big no-no. It has nothing to with your own licentious thoughts about Hawley or projecting your own insecurities on others. It has nothing to do with Biden’s approval ratings or Hawley’s. Do you need a time out. I think you may be a little overstimulated and that is definitely not good for your constitution.
Fahd
Speaking of Senate pariahs, goes to show that the devil didn’t stop buying souls with Ted Cruz.
I keep forgetting about the “alternative facts” world.
To me, that picture with his twig arms and tiny fist makes him look like a cowardly weakling. Strong? no.
Anyone who would buy merchandise with that image on it is either his relative or someone who should not be in charge of their own funds.
MarcyMayer
Fahd or Cam, whichever you are:
You can only wish you had Hawley’s pecs and body. You’re probably some ugly, old fat queen sitting at your computer in your trailer with one of your stray cats pissing on your stained sofa.
Fahd
@MM
Speaking of pariahs. I don’t have much hope for you, but some do-gooders might be willing to reach out to you if you asked for help. You really don’t have to be a lurking pathetic right-wing troll repeatedly pestering the adults with drunken drivel. Don’t pretend you’re enjoying it. Pull yourself together, and get some new glasses if you think that boney, thin-wristed, no doubt pencil-dicked fellow pariah Hawley is somehow good-looking. And please stop with the personal attacks; it’s hurtful.
The real Bruce
Oh MarcyMayer or SamB, whoever you are: Again and again you mention Josh’s pecs and body. Missouri is know as the “Show Me State”. What has he shown you to make you so goo-goo over him? When are you moving there to become his “secret slave”.
charlietex
Ignore Mr. MM. it is far more satisfying. That Josh does have a nice set of man boobs though. It seems like he probably spends more time in the gym then he does working.
Mister P
America first was more of a campaign slogan than an actionable agenda item.
Ronbo
Moderators: please reach out to those people violating your comment policy to refresh their awareness of your comment policy. The comments section is is for conversation, not personal, hateful or false attacks.
When we debate with facts we reach a conclusion; when we demean others, we only demean ourselves.
johncp56
Says you, the guy is an ass hat proven I hate myself trolling but some people are just that bad seeds and need to be called out thank you for your guides
johncp56
He would make a good sex doll look how open his mouth is and nothing coming out what a creep