No matter what side of the internet you reside on, there is one thing we have all heard over and over since it originated in June earlier this year: “You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang.”
“Hawk Tuah Girl,” formally known as Hailey Welch, gained quick popularity over the summer, extending her mere 15 minutes of fame into her own empire, including her podcast titled “Talk Tuah.”
The joke itself has a postmodern ironic quality about it. Even I, someone who previously found the saying unbearable, now find myself making hawk tuah puns in casual conversation.
Something about hawk tuah felt almost urgent, like it could be the tip of a cultural iceberg, warning us of its effects on America’s political landscape. To further investigate, I spent three hours listening to “Talk Tuah” so hopefully no one else has to.
I began my descent in-tuah madness with episode one, which was incredibly dim-witted. Despite Welch’s best efforts, conversations with her guests and accompanying best friend Chelsea Bradford, fell flat.
However, I did realize while listening that although “Talk Tuah” does not discuss politics directly, it still felt a bit charged. Welch uses her vulgar vocabulary and rowdy voice to charm her viewers, a simple but successful strategy I’ve seen before.
This tactic is used throughout what journalist Max Read has coined the “Zynternet,” a reference to Zyn nicotine pouches. The Zynternet is characterized by fraternity-adjacent internet culture, including apolitical but allusively conservative media brands and activities like Barstool Sports and gambling.
As Welch rose to fame, she was immediately absorbed by the Zynternet. However, unlike most of that culture, Welch has infiltrated all areas of the internet. She has transcended Zynternet boundaries, a cultural signal that, to me, means that America is shifting further right.
I had some hope though, as an openly-gay guest made an appearance on Talk Tuah, dancer and internet personality JoJo Siwa. Surely this would stray away from the Zynternet?