Interesting take. I understood conservatives to use it because it is also taking a shot at the so-called MSM, who dubiously created the phrase. I never knew people though conservatives were being muppets by using it.

The 'MSM' (what a dated phrase) didn't create it, it was just a single reporter at a NASCAR race who either misheard it or bowdlerised it for the live TV audience.

When the majority uses vulgarities, how does not using vulgarity make one a muppet? I’d also consider the Muppets rather avant-garde for their time, so maybe you mean it as a complement as in Gonzo, Fozzy, or Beaker (or any other pathetic Muppet).

nice try

If you think the _words_ are the vulgar part of modern right wing ideology, I don't even know what to tell you.

That said, I am perhaps guilty of the same offence there - per the BBC America article "10 British Insults Americans Won't Understand" [1], a muppet is "someone who’s stupid, gullible and incapable of independent thought" - unfortunately the pearl clutching tends to extend to the typical four letter word I would use for such people.

[1]: https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/10-british-insults-american...

They did say that, but the media translated it to ‘let’s go Brandon’ as a self own, so it’s many levels deep :)

Yep, it immediately turned into a meme. Memes aren't always logical, and probably mostly aren't logical.