Following Donald Trump's reelection, a significant increase in sexist and abusive language directed at women has been observed on social media platforms. An analysis by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) reported a 4,600% rise in mentions of the phrase 'your body, my choice' on X (formerly Twitter) between Thursday and Friday after the election.
Notably, a post by white nationalist Nick Fuentes, which included the phrase, garnered over 90 million views and was reposted more than 35,000 times. The ISD indicated that many women on TikTok reported their comments were inundated with this phrase. The phrase is a subversion of the reproductive rights slogan 'my body, my choice.'
This surge in harassment is seen as emboldened by the election results, with Trump and Vice-President-elect JD Vance facing backlash for their comments about women during the campaign. The ISD described many of the online trolls as part of the 'manosphere,' communities characterized by misogynistic rhetoric.
Moreover, the ISD noted that young girls and parents have shared incidents of offline harassment linked to the phrase, indicating a troubling trend. Posts advocating for the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which grants women the right to vote, also saw a 663% increase on X last week.
In parallel, late-night comedians reacted to Trump's reelection with a mix of sarcasm and disbelief. Stephen Colbert expressed 'deep shock' but acknowledged the need for a peaceful transfer of power. Seth Meyers highlighted Trump's ongoing legal issues, while Bill Maher criticized Democrats for underestimating the possibility of a second Trump term.
On a different note, pop singer Nicole Scherzinger faced backlash for a comment on Russell Brand's Election Day post, leading her to apologize for any misunderstanding regarding her political stance. Scherzinger emphasized her commitment to compassion and unity, particularly in light of concerns raised by marginalized communities following Trump's victory.