Dylan Mulvaney, Drew Barrymore, and the Cruelty of Flattery

Flattery is defined as “excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one’s own interests.” Traditionally, flattery meant bearing false witness against one’s neighbor, which is forbidden by the Ninth Commandment. Today, many think of it as a virtue.

Drew Barrymore is a keen practitioner. Last week, the actress and host of the Drew Barrymore Show interviewed a trans-identifying TikTok star, Dylan Mulvaney. Mulvaney is famous for his series, called “Days of Girlhood,” in which he claims a female gender identity.

About the Author

Madeleine Kearns

Madeleine Kearns is a former staff writer at National Review.

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Flattery is defined as “excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one’s own interests.” Traditionally, flattery meant bearing false witness against one’s neighbor, which is forbidden by the Ninth Commandment. Today, many think of it as a virtue.

Drew Barrymore is a keen practitioner. Last week, the actress and host of the Drew Barrymore Show interviewed a trans-identifying TikTok star, Dylan Mulvaney. Mulvaney is famous for his series, called “Days of Girlhood,” in which he claims a female gender identity.