From public misogynistic remarks to sexual assault allegations to his thoughts on reproductive health care, Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear that he has no respect for women. Giving the highest form of power to a man who has repeatedly assaulted, objectified, degraded and generally disrespected women opens the door for others to replicate these actions.
It’s obvious that the president of the United States holds a position of influence, acting as a role model for many people. After Trump’s recent victory, he is now serving as a mentor for the boys of America — and not in a positive way. In the few days since it was announced Trump would be the 47th president, misogynistic discourse online and in real life has drastically increased, revealing one of the true pillars of our country: the patriarchy and disdain for women.
The phrases “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” have increased by 4,600 percent on X in the days following the election, attacking reproductive rights and promoting outdated social expectations. “Repeal the 19th” saw a 663 percent spike after the election, advocating to take away women’s right to vote.
Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist podcaster, has helped propagate this misogynistic rhetoric when he tweeted, “Your body, my choice. Forever,” on Nov. 5, receiving 35 million views. The phrase has grown on X and made its way into the comment sections of many female creators' videos on TikTok. The words are also trending on Facebook.
The increase in hate toward women is not restricted to these three phrases; the misogynists are getting creative. One X user posted, “women threatening sex strikes like LMAO as if you have a say,” receiving 10 million views. Andrew Tate, an influencer, posted, “I saw a woman crossing the road today, but I just kept my foot down. Right of way? You no longer have rights,” on Nov. 7, garnering 688,000 views in under two hours.
These blatantly hateful statements toward women are not just being posted from a dark room behind the protection of a screen — they’re happening in real life, too.
Female students have reported their male peers shouting “your body, my choice” at them in class, as well as threatening them in other ways, such as telling them to “sleep with one eye open.” At a rally celebrating Trump’s victory at Texas State University, men held signs declaring women as property.
Trump has not even been inaugurated yet, but his contempt for women has already emboldened men across the country, causing them to express their hatred for women openly. If all of this has happened just a few days after the election, before any policies have been made or changes enacted, we can only imagine what is to come. Misogyny is deeply rooted in our country. This election and Trump’s upcoming presidency is digging it up, brushing off the dirt and putting it in direct sunlight.
Through these election results, we’ve shown the boys and men of our country that it is okay to be openly sexist. We’ve shown them that acting in objectifying, predatory and insensitive ways toward women is not only okay — it’s grounds to be elected president.
