In the world of politics, it is no secret that former President Donald Trump has a special playbook when it comes to dealing with women who challenge him. From hurling insults and deploying vulgar language to belittling their intelligence and appearance, Trump's approach is both calculated and demeaning. Over the years, numerous women have found themselves on the receiving end of his attacks, including Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Liz Cheney, Carly Fiorina, and most recently, Nikki Haley.
For Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and Trump's own ambassador to the United Nations, Trump's nickname of choice is 'Birdbrain.' Reacting to her refusal to drop out of the GOP presidential nomination fight, Trump criticized Haley's appearance and questioned her right to challenge him. In response, Haley viewed Trump's behavior as a tantrum borne out of feeling threatened. This pattern of attacking women for their gender and appearance is not new for Trump, who has been known to boast about dominating women and assumes they will always step aside when challenged.
Interestingly, despite his disparaging remarks towards women, Trump managed to win a significant portion of female voters in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. In 2016, 39% of women cast their ballots for him, and that number increased to 44% in 2020, though he ultimately lost to President Joe Biden. This indicates that Trump's appeal resonated with a substantial number of women, even as he aimed insults and put-downs at his female opponents.
Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic rival in the 2016 presidential election, arguably faced some of the harshest attacks. Trump famously referred to her as a 'nasty woman,' critiquing her appearance and claiming her voice gave him a headache. During a debate, he repeatedly loomed behind her, which Clinton later described as making her skin crawl. At rallies, Trump continued to make derogatory comments about her, highlighting his lack of respect for a female opponent.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also found herself in the crosshairs of Trump's insults. He resorted to calling her 'Crazy Nancy' and refused to shake her hand at the State of the Union address after the House impeached him. In return, Pelosi questioned his 'manhood' and openly expressed her disdain for him during public appearances, including tearing up a copy of his speech during a State of the Union address.
Trump's attacks extended to Kamala Harris, Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 election. Shortly after Harris's selection, Trump labeled her as 'nasty' and claimed that 'nobody likes' her. His comments tapped into the often-applied standard of likability that leans heavily on women in leadership positions. Additionally, Trump suggested that it would be insulting to the country if Harris were to become the first female president.
Liz Cheney, the former Republican representative from Wyoming who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, continues to draw Trump's wrath. Trump referred to her as 'Crazy Liz Cheney' and has vowed to prevent her from returning to the presidency. Trump's attacks on Cheney highlight the ongoing division within the Republican Party, as she staunchly opposes his influence and warns of the dangers of allowing him to regain power.
Even women who are not politicians but have faced Trump in legal proceedings have experienced his wrath. Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress who alleged an affair with Trump, was called 'horseface' by the former president. Writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault, also faced his attacks during her testimony in court.
As the 2024 campaign begins to take shape, Nikki Haley has emerged as a contender. Haley has cleverly positioned herself as a woman in a male-dominated field, emphasizing her past victories over powerful men and her commitment to raising strong girls into strong women. By deflecting Trump's aggression and responding with a smile, Haley allows her supporters to form their own conclusions. This strategy contrasts sharply with Trump's behavior, which many view as immature and motivated by fear of losing to a powerful woman.
In the world of politics, women who challenge Trump can expect to face personal attacks on their appearance, intelligence, and right to challenge him. Trump's special playbook, centered around intimidation and insulting language, has been employed against various women throughout his career. However, the fact that Trump still managed to gain significant support among female voters despite his treatment of women highlights the complexity of voter dynamics in the political landscape. As the 2024 campaign unfolds, it remains to be seen how women in politics will continue to navigate the unique challenges posed by a figure like Trump.
