There is substantial evidence that the MAGA movement and its supporters engage in behavior and rhetoric that demeans women.
Donald Trump, the leader of the MAGA movement, has a long history of using derogatory and sexist language towards women. He has called women “horseface,” “lowlife,” “fat,” and “ugly.” He referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “slow and lethargic,” a “dummy,” and “mentally impaired.” And he has mocked women’s appearances, and bodily functions, and compared them to animals.
The release of Trump’s Access Hollywood tape serves as a stark reminder of his troubling views on women, where he casually discusses inappropriate behavior. This incident isn’t isolated; a 2002 Howard Stern recording surfaced around the same time, shedding further light on Trump’s attitudes. In this conversation, Trump candidly shares with Stern that he tends to end relationships with women once they reach 35 because they have “too much life experience” and are over the hill.
“What is it at 35, Howard?” Trump asked.
“It’s called checkout time.”
This pattern of insulting women extends beyond Trump to other MAGA figures and supporters. MAGA influencers have made viral posts with phrases like “Your body, my choice. Forever” and jokes about accelerating when seeing women at crosswalks.
There has been a surge in misogynistic content on social media following Trump’s election victory, with a lot of weak and insecure men asserting dominance over women’s bodies.
Many of these adult men are in their 40s and 50s and are still dependent on their moms, ironically. And they face challenges in securing a date, often due to their limited educational backgrounds and low-level or unstable employment situations. Additionally, they may experience uncertainty regarding their sexual identity and preferences. (A lot of these MAGA fellas can’t accept they are gay or have effeminate ways)
Their repeated failures in various endeavors frequently result in misplaced frustration and anger directed towards women.
Why not, right?
Trump promised to be women’s protector “whether the women like it or not,” implying a paternalistic view that disregards women’s agency. However, the reality is that MAGA supporters have called for repealing women’s voting rights and promoted traditional gender roles that limit women’s choices.
MAGA rhetoric frequently leans on outdated sexist stereotypes and imposes unfair double standards on women in politics. Take Kamala Harris, for instance; she has encountered an extraordinary amount of hostility that surpasses what other female politicians have faced, with criticisms often targeting her identity instead of her policies. This pattern reveals a troubling tendency to undermine the legitimacy of women’s accomplishments, implying they haven’t genuinely earned their positions.
Not surprisingly, women in the MAGA movement are often portrayed in ways that reinforce perceived traditional gender roles and expectations.
The misogynistic elements of the MAGA movement have real-world consequences. There are concerns that the normalization of misogyny could lead to increased violence against women. Also, women may be increasingly hesitant to pursue public office leadership positions in the corporate world due to the harassment and falsehoods they face.
In conclusion, while not all MAGA supporters engage in misogynistic behavior or share those beliefs, the movement as a whole has consistently promoted rhetoric and policies that demean, restrict, and potentially endanger women. This pattern of behavior is deeply ingrained in the MAGA ideology and its leadership, creating an environment hostile to women’s equality and autonomy.