Pete Buttigieg sparks ‘gross’ reaction with ‘cringe’ chat about adoption, saying black babies are on ‘discount’

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sparked controversy for a “cringeworthy” segment where he discussed the adoption of his kids.

Buttigieg raised eyebrows when he slipped and said that there was a “discount” for adopting his black babies. He quickly tried to correct his word choice, by saying “you didn’t have to pay a deposit,” but it was too late; the clip was out there.

“It was called a surprise adoption scenario. I was traveling. We got a phone call,” Buttigieg went on to say. “Anybody who says race is not a thing in this country should experience an adoption process where there are literally different lists if you say that you want a white kid only versus if you say that doesn’t matter.”

Pete Buttigieg says there’s a “discount” for adopting Black kids (Around 1:15)

He catches himself and then says he means there’s no deposit, but…YIKESpic.twitter.com/OBGEMaiGvN

— John Hasson (@SonofHas) April 23, 2025

Buttigieg’s comments quickly went viral and sparked a mix of responses over what he meant, but almost everyone agreed on the “cringe.”

Gross

Also, Buttigieg trying to be cool with these dudes is very cringe. https://t.co/n2UhABj3Vc

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) April 23, 2025

So he’s frugal when he’s not using our tax dollars.

— Impracticaluser (@impracticaluser) April 23, 2025

He is clearly pointing out that within the adoption process more people want white babies in a way that obviously makes it clear he finds that sad and wrong. Get real.

— PoliticallyAnnoyed (@MillieOfferman) April 23, 2025

Shame on the rest of the panel for playing along with the charade that Mayor Pete is just a regular bro. But of course in their heads they’re all totally creeped out thinking of Buttofudge chestfeeding his and his husband’s child.

— FlakeyFoont (@FlakeyFoont918) April 24, 2025

Cringe on a 1000!

— Chuckyfamous! (@Nem_Famous) April 23, 2025

Does he think adopting black babies on a discount is going to help him win votes with the black community, which completely ignored him last time?

— JWF (@JammieWF) April 24, 2025

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