There has always been a sense of misogyny, sometimes subtle and sometimes quite overt, emanating from Donald Trump and echoed by his sycophant followers. There is no doubt that misogyny was at least a factor in Trump’s blowout win over Kamala Harris, who is emblematic of the type of strong woman that many American men now seem to fear.
Leading up to the election and certainly after the election, social media has been flooded with misogynistic messages, some overtly promoting violence against women. Of course this isn’t all men, not all Trump supporters - these are extremists. But why are so many American men seeming to find joy in hating and abusing them online?
Two phrases are a recurring theme on social media sites that speak to this renewed hate toward women. The pro-feminist phrase about abortion - “My Body, My Choice” - has been re-arranged by men to “Your Body, My Choice.” And “get back to the kitchen” is getting used a lot on X and Tik Tok. Let’s be honest - the phrase “You Body, My Choice” suggests that men’s rightful place is to be in command of a woman’s life, and suggests that men have a right to do what they want with a woman’s body, including assault and rape.
Donald Trump’s election win appears to have given many American men permission to attack women’s rights. White Nationalist Nick Fuentes posted “Your Body, My Choice. Forever.” on X recently and the usage of the phrase went up by 4,600% the day after the election. There were posts calling for the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which is the amendment that gave women the right to vote.
Donald Trump’s campaign and victory in the election appear to have inspired the men living in the “mansphere” to openly degrade and hate women. The “manosphere” is a collection of websites, blogs, and other communications promoting toxic masculinity and misogyny. The “manosphere” is linked to men’s rights activist organizations and is united by the fear that the influence of feminism promotes hatred toward men. The “manosphere” is also linked to far-right and alt-right groups that advocate degrading women and even promote violence against women in extreme cases.
Why do some American men feel so threatened by women in 2024? I believe there is an intrinsic jealousy in men that women have control over whether men have sex and the subconscious reality that men need women for sex causes an inferiority complex. The implied misogyny during Trump’s campaign seemed to embolden some American men into joining the chorus of masculine voices putting women down and condemning women’s rights.
There is even talk in some states, including Louisiana, of doing away with No-Fault divorce. Right-wing YouTuber Steven Crowder went ballistic over No-Fault divorce in Texas after the law allowed his wife to leave him against his wishes. No-Fault divorce is just what it says it is - a married person can choose to divorce their spouse for no reason at all. According to the American Sociological Association, close to 70% of all divorces are started by women and the men in their marriages have no say so in preventing the divorce. That gives women control over men.
This current display of overt toxic masculinity that is inspiring hate toward women seems like a desperate attempt on the part of men to use their masculinity - their strength - to control women.
This reveals an innate insecurity that many touch the inner Neanderthal in many American men. Today, that is defined as toxic masculinity and if that’s the best way for men to live satisfied lives - then men are in deep sh*t!
