Definition: The theatrical outrage expressed when someone “exposes” a scandal that literally everyone already knows about, especially regarding powerful creeps. Acting shocked that notorious figures have dodgy histories is peak disingenuous pearl-clutching.
It’s often deployed by hypocrites who previously ignored or enabled said creep, hoping their sudden “revelation” scores cheap points. The performative gasp is transparent nonsense, especially when they funded the nonce in question while pointing fingers elsewhere.
Example:
Politicians who accepted his donations for years suddenly expressed theatrical outrage at his old, widely reported scandal, hoping to score points.
Her performative gasp about the director’s long-known misconduct was pure disingenuous pearl-clutching, ignoring her own past silence.