New icon drop! M&Ms have been… yassified?
Hot off the heels of “gender critical” Twitter having a meltdown over the anatomy of a fictional cartoon alien (yes, really), not to be undone, far-right America said, ‘hold my beer’ and turned its attention towards… (shock) candy.
Sweet giants Mars Wrigley launched a new M&M character last week, what the powerhouse candy creator refers to as “spokescandy” (like spokesperson, but crowbarred into a new word which, much like the character itself, doesn’t actually exist).
“Mars is thrilled to debut the newest member of the M&M’S cast of characters to the world. There is so much about our new spokescandy that people can relate to and appreciate, including her willingness to embrace her true self – our new character reminds us to celebrate what makes us unique,” said Jane Hwang of Mars Wrigley, when revealing the first new M&M in a decade.
Meet the adorable new posterchild for yourself, before we get into it:
So, she kinda slays. And she’s simply a very cute cartoon, right? Here’s the bit that got *some people* all rattled…
“Our newest member is known for her earnest self-expression,” says the press release. “Keen self-awareness, authenticity and confidence are the driving forces behind Purple’s charm and quirky nature.”
*”quirky* alarm bells start ringing across America*
The character being designed to “represent acceptance and inclusivity”, seems to have rattled a One America News host, who reported on the new M&Ms drop, because it’s not like there’s anything else going on right now….
For us, it’s the bit where he leans into camera and whispers, with all the comedic timing of a damp concrete brick, “maybe she’s transgender…”
On OAN, they are outraged M&Ms has “gone woke” with new purple M&Ms that signify “inclusiveness and acceptance.” pic.twitter.com/9clGHKRLok
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) October 3, 2022
Of course, it’s not the first time M&Ms have upset far-right folk.
In January, Mars stepped-up its commitment to making its sweet characters more inclusive, prompting ever-reasonable Tucker Carlson to call the changes “deeply unappealing and totally androgynous.”
The news host claimed the sweets had been made ‘unappealing’ and complained about not wanting” to have a drink with any one of them”.
Tucker: M&M’s will not be satisfied until every last cartoon character is deeply unappealing and totally androgynous. Until the moment you wouldn’t want to have a drink with any one of them. That’s the goal. When you’re totally turned off, we’ve achieved equity… pic.twitter.com/rz7VtVCHWu
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 22, 2022
A look at some of Twitter’s reactions to the fury will not disappoint…
Conservative brainrot is so fucking funny ITS A PURPLE MNM https://t.co/pXczTrJIfJ
— Psy (@GngnamStyl) October 1, 2022
Not now, honey. a new purple M&M character just got revealed pic.twitter.com/a7ravBANfM
— on a runner’s high 🏃🏻♂️ (@MrGulpin) September 28, 2022
M&M’S: we’re releasing a purple candy piece.
The right: pic.twitter.com/NNhUBr2z6C— about:blank 🪬 (@aboutblank80) October 2, 2022
“Is she… you know… a purple M&M?”
— Lilah Sturges, Ever-So-Slightly Spooky (@LilahSturges) October 4, 2022
C'mon Transphobes, if you knew M&M lore, you would already know Green and Brown are both trans sapphic couple! You don't need to head canon Purple. https://t.co/HsJZ7NdBgs pic.twitter.com/2pwortHlKQ
— 💛🎃 𝐼𝓏𝓏𝒾 𝑅𝒶𝑒 🍭💛 (@Izzi8bit) October 4, 2022
A ton of people just died in Florida and republicans are mad about a purple m&m. Republicans party in a nutshell.
— jessica🪬 (@ItsMrsRabbitToU) October 3, 2022
Alright internet, its time for us to make the new purple m&m an Alt-right Icon! Lets do it! https://t.co/amOI2lvjf4
— Walter Waters, Killer of Sneed. (@Sucker_Water) October 4, 2022
DeSantis looks more woke than the purple M&M. pic.twitter.com/0qYgEUpNCf
— 🌵Cantankerous chihuahua ☢ (@CanDoChiChi) October 4, 2022
Conservatives upset about the new purple m&m are going to be really upset when they realize ALL of the m&m's are transgender
— Incognito Finito (@incognitofinito) October 4, 2022
Hold on… did the purple M&M steal top secret documents??
Oh yeah, sorry – that was a ORANGE STAIN!— Kent Brockman 🇺🇦 #Resist; slayer of #Tankies (@JohnLScott) October 3, 2022
I think we can all agree Purple M&M wore the white boots better. pic.twitter.com/cZSaJhYocb
— 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🌹🎃👻✨Jackie the Spooky Socialist✨ (@KaoticLeftist) October 4, 2022