Social media users raked USA Today over the coals when it seemed there was an ulterior motive in the daily word searches loved by its readers.

The left-leaning newspaper was called out on X when a noticeable pattern emerged about certain words buried in the puzzles, as one user shared screenshots purportedly from several different word searches that had “woke” words embedded throughout.

There was no confirmed report that USA Today has been adding these words to its puzzles, but X users roasted the “shameless” creator and the paper for publishing them.

“We need to talk about the @USATODAY crossword puzzles,” tweeted a user with the handle “MillennialOther.”

We need to talk about the @USATODAY crossword puzzles. It’s all unhinged, but the “low regret rate” RE gEndeR aFFiRmiNg Care takes the cake.@DeAngelisCorey @MattWalshBlog @benshapiro @ChayaRaichik10 @libsoftiktok @HollyBriden @Nicoletta0602 @OliLondonTV @chadfelixg @PolitiBunny… pic.twitter.com/JAyvzAzlvf

— Meara (@MillennialOther) November 13, 2023

The phrase “Regret Rate” was evidently the answer for the hint: “Stat that’s very low for gender-affirming surgeries,” according to Meara’s account post.

And “baby shower” was the answer for the hint about a “party for a pregnant person” that appeared to be part of a puzzle last month titled, “Out Of The Closets And Into The Streets (freestyle).” This word search also included the word “pronouns.”

“But wait, there’s more!” declared another tweet showing more puzzles found in USA Today.

But wait, there’s more! pic.twitter.com/x5HeepbSEL

— Meara (@MillennialOther) November 13, 2023

The hint “using plus-size models without offering plus-size clothing” generated the answer, “curve-washing,” described by Fashion Magazine as a “harmful marketing tactic” that gives the “illusion of body inclusivity.”

Word searches also purportedly included hints such as “Umbrella term for non-allosexual people” and the word “drag” hidden in the puzzle.

One X user asked in the comments, “What’s the name of the blue-haired ally with the septum piercing who created this one?”

“Bunself. Obviously,” was the response.

Bunself. Obviously. pic.twitter.com/7izykzLEtA

— Meara (@MillennialOther) November 13, 2023

“In case it isn’t clear, each screenshot is from a different puzzle,” Meara posted in another tweet.

“This is not a one-off thing,” the user added, contending that USA Today “is putting in work to normalize this garbage.”

The newspaper offers several other puzzles from crosswords to word searches for children. Puzzles are available in online formats and a subscription plan is offered for those who are serious about their puzzle-solving skills.

But X users were outraged by the not-so-hidden agenda being presented by the Gannett-owned paper in recent word searches.

These arent even words. These are just LGBT jargon. How are readers supposed to even know these ridiculous ideas exist, let alone know the neologisms assigned to them?

— Doug (@RockDocDoug) November 13, 2023

Whoever made this is incredibly shameless.

— Zanshi 惨死 (D – Jar Kitteh) (@zanshi1) November 13, 2023

Is that a thing in @USATODAY now? Sticking lies and brainwashing into crosswords? Lol they are pathetic.

— HJGTweet (@HjgTweet) November 13, 2023

Even the NYT crossword puzzle hasn’t gotten that insufferable

— 1967mustangman (@1967mustangman) November 13, 2023

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Frieda Powers

Senior Staff Writer
Frieda@bizpacreview.com

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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