Post-Trump Election, Hate and Harassment Against Women Increases
TL/DR –
Following Donald Trump’s re-election, use of the phrase “your body, my choice” skyrocketed online by 4,600% in a 24-hour period, according to a study by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). The phrase, an apparent subversion of the reproductive rights slogan “my body, my choice,” has also been reported in offline harassment instances shared on social media. The surge in its usage and other misogynistic sentiments—including calls for the repeal of women’s voting rights—demonstrates the influence of an increasingly vindictive set of online actors using the election results to amplify anti-women narratives.
Following Trump’s election, “your body, my choice” usage spiked by 4,600% on X. This phrase has also infiltrated offline spaces, with social media documenting numerous harassment instances involving it.
Women’s online harassment has escalated significantly since Donald Trump’s second presidential election. The phrase “your body, my choice” has particularly gained momentum.
After Trump’s election, usage of this phrase on X surged by 4,600%, according to an ISD study.
The phrase, a distortion of “my body, my choice,” a slogan used by reproductive rights advocates, is now weaponized against women.
On Facebook, it appeared in 52,000 posts within a 24-hour period. Female TikTok users also reported mass comments of “your body, my choice” on their posts, as per the ISD study.
One study participant shared, “I had to delete a video due to threats and comments hoping for my assault or ‘your body my choice.’
This phrase has also seeped into real-world interactions. The ISD study reveals that girls and parents nationwide are using social media to share offline harassment instances involving the phrase.
The report states, “They include the phrase being directed at them within schools or chanted by young boys in classes.”
Cory Hirsbrunner, superintendent of a Wisconsin school district, emailed parents addressing the issue, stating it’s unacceptable for students to use threatening language.
Women are warning each other of offline harassment on Reddit, as per the ISD study. One user shared, “Women were being harassed at UNM [University of New Mexico] by groups of men in MAGA gear.”
The phrase “your body, my choice” seems to originate from white nationalist podcaster Nick Fuentes, whose X post stating “Your body, my choice. Forever.” has received 90 million views. His home was doxxed following this.
Far-right influencer, Andrew Tate, also propagated the phrase. His X post stating, “I saw a woman crossing the road today but I just kept my foot down. Right of way? You no longer have rights.” had 688,000 views within two hours. It was later deleted.
Calls for the repeal of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote, have also soared by 663% in the last week.
Researchers Isabelle Frances-Wright and Moustafa Ayad write, “The spread of these phrases and calls for the rollback of women’s rights demonstrate the influence of an increasingly vindictive set of online actors using the election results as a permission structure to more overtly and aggressively espouse narratives about curbing women’s rights.”
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