Predator, President, Policymaker.
TW: this article references sexual assault, pregnancy trauma and medical trauma
Today Donald Trump will be re-elected as the 47th U.S. President.
Trump, 78, is a man accused of rape, indicted on 91 felony counts (for crimes ranging from election interference to mishandling classified documents), convicted on 34 felony counts, and is infamous for his misogynistic rhetoric.
I, like many, am filled with deep concern over what his second term will mean for the safety, rights, health and mental health of women, both in and out of America.
A Campaign of Misogyny
Placing a man who objectifies women into one of the most powerful positions in the world risks further normalising misogyny.
In the immediate aftermath of Trump’s win in November, a report found an increase in online sexist attacks, for example there was a 4600% increase in mentions of the terms “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” on X. Before this, an analysis found that Trump’s election in 2016 was associated with a statistically significant surge in reported hate crimes across the US, dubbed ‘The Trump Effect’. The authors of this second analysis suggest that this was likely due to the fact that the election had “validated this rhetoric in the eyes of perpetrators”.
Trump’s campaign was rife with misogyny, gendered insults and both benevolent and hostile sexism, and was promoted by Elon Musk’s Political Action Committee (which provided over $277 million to support Trump’s 2024 election campaign). The committee ran an advert which suggested one of the most vulgar insults for women in the English language. The ad opened with “Kamala Harris is a C Word.” It eventually revealed the word to be 'communist'.
In October, Trump vowed to “protect the women… whether the women like it or not” in his second term. This benevolently sexist statement has been widely criticised for its patriarchal undertones and disregard for female autonomy. When cautioned by his aides that such statements may be deemed as “inappropriate”, Trump asked “Why? I am president…”. Such statements feel reminiscent of his notorious Access Hollywood tape where he bragged about non-consensual sexual advances, stating, "When you’re a star, you can do anything” even “Grab them by the p****”.
Research has linked sexism to higher rates of depression, PTSD, and poorer health outcomes, even without direct experience, making it an ever-present burden on women's lives. While Trump’s opinions on women remain highly controversial, his power to disseminate and politicise them has only increased following his recent election.
Reproductive Health and Freedom in America
Abortion care has real world implications for women and families globally. Trump’s significant role in the overturn of Roe vs Wade - which stripped women of their rights to bodily autonomy - exemplifies what is at stake.
Evidence is mounting that this decision is already harming reproductive health and freedom in America. Abortion clinics are closing, necessary care is being delayed until pregnant women are facing death or permanent injuries, clinicians are fleeing total ban states leading to “maternity care deserts”, and accessing contraception is becoming more difficult. Child and maternal mortality rates are expected to rise as a result of these policy changes, with marginalised communities being disproportionately effected.
While we cannot yet know the scale of the mental and physical health consequences, women are taking to social media to report harrowing experiences including doctors being unable/unwilling to remove un-expelled tissues post-miscarriage causing excruciating pain, infection and risk of death; having life-threatening haemorrhaging caused by delayed treatment; and the trauma of untreated ectopic pregnancies. Hearing of the trauma of these women, you can’t help but think of the women who are no longer here to tell their stories.
These tragic and preventable deaths will leave partners widowed, and children without mothers.
Given all of this, it is unsurprising that a 2024 study found that abortion restrictions in the US had had broad negative impacts on mental health, particularly for those of lower education and income.
The fallout of these policies will not be limited to America.
In 2017, Trump instigated a ‘global gag rule’, restricting international NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) from receiving U.S. funds for abortion related healthcare. This caused a $32 billion loss of funding for global health aid and resulted in an estimated 108,000 maternal deaths and child deaths and 360,000 HIV infections worldwide.
There is fear Trump will once again reinstate and expand this policy in his second presidency leading to more untreated and traumatised women worldwide.
A Controversial Inner Circle
Trump has nominated controversial individuals, key players, and supporters of Project 2025 (a right-wing, Gillead-esque wish list for Trump’s presidency) for his second administration, and proposed skipping the typical FBI background checks faced by cabinet position nominees.
Trump’s choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary, despite his lack of medical expertise and scepticism of scientific consensus, has raised widespread concern. During the penultimate rally of his campaign, Trump stated that he would give Kennedy Jr. free reign over health policy and let him "do what he wants".
Historically, Kennedy Jr. has supported abortion rights, but his recent statements have suggested a shift as he has vowed to carry out conservative goals of reversing the Biden administration’s abortion policies and to reinstate pro-life policies. Thus, Kennedy's nomination brings greater uncertainty to the future of women's physical and mental health.
Progress is not inevitable
It is dangerous and naïve to tell ourselves that Trump’s damaging ‘ramblings’ are those of one ailing man, as he will soon wield the resources of a global superpower. As history has shown us before, hate and fear perpetuate one another with catastrophic consequences.
It is essential to acknowledge that Trump's presidency will have an intersectional impact on women, as his policies and rhetoric will disproportionately harm women who also face discrimination based on race, class, immigration status, or other marginalized identities.