Misogyny and Racism on Full Display in the 2024 Presidential Election
An analysis of how Trump and the GOP have pushed racist and sexist tropes in the Presidential campaign against Harris, while ignoring Donald Trump’s own history of misogyny and racism.
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump are scheduled to debate on ABC News on September 10. (Courtesy of Fox News / Getty Images)
The moment I saw the news that Joe Biden dropped out of the U.S. Presidential race, my heart dropped to my stomach. I thought, “That’s it, we have no shot of beating Donald Trump this year.” I dreaded what the future of America would look like under the leadership of a 34-time convicted felon, who surrounds himself with white supremacists and loyalists.
To my surprise, in the next three days, I witnessed the Democratic Party uniting behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the new nominee. The weight in my stomach dissipated. Democrats had not descended into a chaotic open convention with multiple candidates vying to gain the nomination, as I’d feared. Instead, Democrats across the political spectrum threw their support behind Harris nationwide.
This unfettered support for Harris initially came as a surprise to me. I was uncertain that Harris’ colleagues would respect a Black woman enough to offer her their immediate, unanimous support. I asked myself a recycled, pessimistic question: “Is America ready for a Black female president?”
As a woman in political science, I’ve spent years studying racial and gender dynamics and their impact on campaigns, elections, legislative activity, and more. The accomplishments and accolades of women of color are often diminished and minimized – particularly in this election cycle, where the Republican opponent and Party routinely tout racist dog-whistles about Kamala Harris being a “DEI hire.” Recently, Trump even called her “lazy, stupid,” and “low-IQ.”
Kamala Harris is an extremely qualified candidate with decades of experience in the public sector, spanning all three branches of government. This experience includes District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, a U.S. Senator, and currently the Vice President of the United States. Throughout her career, she has fought to protect women, children, and those being taken advantage of. She prosecuted child sexual assault cases, created California’s Bureau of Children’s Justice, won billion dollar settlements for California residents whose homes had been foreclosed on, and for students and veterans who a for-profit education company exploited. As Vice President, she cast the tie-breaking vote for the Inflation Reduction Act. Harris has a stellar record of leadership and experience that she brings to the table.
Compare this to her opponent, a former reality TV star who has been found liable for sexual abuse and defamation and has bankrupted multiple businesses. Trump’s record indicates he would bring dishonesty, criminal activity, and selfishness to the table.
The attempt to brand Harris as the DEI candidate in this race is downright laughable. It is also a clear example of misogyny and racism. The contrast between Harris, a successful Black woman, and Trump, a disgruntled old White man, is stark. Since Harris was announced as the Democratic nominee, the Trump campaign and its supporters have launched criticism against her based on racist and sexist tropes and stereotypes. These tropes and stereotypes, such as portraying black women as hypersexualized, sexually manipulative individuals, have a long history in America. They were used by white slave owners to justify the rape of enslaved African women. These same outdated tropes are being recycled by Trump and the Republican Party as they attempt to undermine Harris’ campaign.
The Trump campaign and its right-wing supporters have peddled these sexist and racist narratives, most obviously through the criticism that Harris “slept her way up.” After this false claim was made by right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh, the sentiment materialized onto t-shirts with the slogan “Joe and the Hoe Gotta Go.” In a panel discussing Harris’ foreign policy skills, Fox News Host Jesse Waters said “she’s going to get paralyzed in the situation room while the generals have their way with her.” Trump himself shared a video from right-wing internet content creators insinuating that Harris “spent her whole damn life down on her knees,” at which point a photo of Mr. Brown (a former boyfriend of Harris) appears on screen.
Let’s fact-check a few things. Yes, Kamala Harris had a relationship with the former San Francisco Mayor and Speaker of the California Assembly, Willie Brown. However, Harris was already the Assistant District Attorney in Alameda County and only won her first election 13 years after their split.
Attempting to undermine Harris’ entire career due to a short-lived relationship whilst simultaneously overlooking Trump’s documented history of egregious disrespect, abuse, and assault of women is text-book misogyny. This narrative bolsters the idea that women are incapable of paving their own paths without seducing men along the way and leans into the harmful stereotype of hypersexual black women. It also excuses any imbalance of power and abuse committed by men. Men like Trump.
Trump is a man found liable for sexually assaulting and defaming Jean E. Carrols.
A man who was convincted of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, whom he was having an affair with while his wife was pregnant.
A man who was caught on tape in 2005 bragging about kissing, groping, and trying to have sex with women, describing women in a very vulgar manner. At the time, Trump was already married to Melania. The tape includes audio of Trump admitting he tried to seduce an unnamed married woman. He says, “I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married.” Then, discussing the looks of another woman, Trump implies that he would begin kissing her, seemingly without any consent, “I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her.” He continues, confirming that he doesn’t wait for consent,“You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful… I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait.” Trump clearly believes that fame gives him unlimited access to women’s bodies when he says, “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything…Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.” Trump speaks of women in such vulgar, belittling terms–treating women as objects that he can do with as he pleases.
A man who was friends with known rapist Jeffrey Epstein, describing him as a “terrific guy [who’s] a lot of fun to be with.” Trump, continuing his praise of Epstein and their similarities, said, “It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”
A man who has been accused of sexually assaulting over a dozen women, most recently by former model Stacey Williams.
A man who said, “there were very fine people on both sides” about a white supremacist rally and counter-protest.
A man who, speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago, speculated on Harris’ racial identity, saying, I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black.”
A man who took out a full-page ad to call for the return of the death penalty for five young Black and Hispanic boys–now the Exonerated Central Park Five.
A man who was sued by the Department of Justice for racial discrimination.
Donald Trump shows a complete and utter lack of respect for women or Black people, amongst many other groups. Americans have the chance to hold Donald Trump and predatory, racist men like him accountable at the ballot box on November 5th. We can choose a better path forward, one inspired by hope and respect–not by hate.
I’ve already cast my ballot for Kamala Harris. I urge you to do the same.
Editors
Makenzie Rodrigues is currently a copy editor for JPI Online Magazine. She is a second-year MA student pursuing a degree in Politics (American Politics) at NYU in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She earned a BA in Political Science with a double minor in French and Legal Studies in the Baccalaureate Honors Program at Rider University on a full-tuition scholarship. She also was a player on Rider’s Division 1 women’s soccer team all four years. Her interests and areas of expertise include American Politics, gender and racial justice, and progressive policy. She enjoys playing soccer, going to museums, singing, and finding good spots to eat!
