Trump women voters/ gender gap election/ Trump Harris campaign/ Election 2024 gender issues/ Trump “protector” narrative/ Newslooks/ GASTONIA/ N.C./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump is working to narrow his gender gap with women voters, yet he continues using the same language and tone that has drawn criticism. Campaigning as a “protector” of women, Trump frequently emphasizes issues like crime and immigration to court female voters. However, his rhetoric has led to backlash, with critics labeling it as outdated and paternalistic.
Trump’s Last Push for Women Voters: Quick Looks
- “Protector” Role: Trump claims he’ll protect women, yet uses language his critics see as outdated and paternalistic.
- Gender Gap Challenge: Trump struggles with women voters, especially as Kamala Harris seeks to break barriers as the first female president.
- Campaign Strategy: Trump’s focus on crime and immigration aims to attract “security moms” and traditionally conservative women.
- Controversial Allies: Figures like Tucker Carlson and Charlie Kirk echo Trump’s traditional views on gender roles, sometimes with crude language.
- Harris’s Response: Kamala Harris counters by highlighting gender issues and appealing to younger voters and Black men.
Trump Aims to Close Gender Gap While Doubling Down on Rhetoric
Deep Look
As Election Day approaches, Donald Trump’s campaign is focusing on shoring up support among women—a critical demographic where he lags significantly behind Democratic opponent Kamala Harris. Despite efforts to court women voters, Trump continues using language and promoting ideas that his critics argue are not only outdated but also perpetuate traditional, paternalistic views on gender roles.
Trump’s gender gap with women voters has been a persistent challenge, with polls consistently showing Harris ahead by a double-digit margin among women. Trump has referred to himself as the “protector” of women, a stance that aligns with his focus on crime and public safety. However, he has also laughed along with crude jokes at his rallies and partnered with high-profile supporters known for controversial remarks about women, such as Tucker Carlson and Charlie Kirk.
Carlson, appearing at a Trump event, likened Trump’s approach to “tough love” for a “bad little girl,” casting Trump in a parental, disciplinary role that critics say is steeped in sexist undertones. Meanwhile, Kirk has remarked that any man voting against Trump “isn’t a man,” and suggested that wives who secretly vote for Harris “undermine their husbands.” These statements reflect the tone of Trump’s campaign, which, instead of pivoting to more inclusive language, has doubled down on traditional gender norms.
One of the most visible recent moments came during a rally where Trump laughed off a crude joke about Harris made by an audience member, who shouted that she had “worked on the corner.” Trump responded with a laugh, saying, “Just remember, it’s other people saying it. It’s not me,” to cheers from the crowd. While such exchanges bolster Trump’s rapport with his supporters, they risk alienating undecided women voters and reinforcing the gender gap.
Trump has framed Harris, the first female vice president, as unfit to lead, suggesting that she would “melt down” under pressure from male authoritarian leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin or China’s President Xi Jinping. His portrayal of Harris feeds into a broader narrative he’s crafted, which suggests that leadership in a male-dominated geopolitical landscape requires toughness he believes she lacks.
In an attempt to appeal to “security moms,” Trump frequently discusses crime and illegal immigration, often sharing the tragic stories of mothers who lost children to violence allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants. His campaign hopes that emphasizing safety will resonate with conservative women voters who prioritize stability and protection. Additionally, Trump has introduced policies addressing transgender rights, such as advocating for female-only sports teams, which has found support among certain conservative women’s groups.
Meanwhile, Harris’s campaign is countering Trump’s rhetoric by focusing on issues of gender equality and empowerment. Harris has drawn attention to Trump’s comments, incorporating them into her campaign narrative as she tries to highlight her appeal to younger voters, particularly men of color, a demographic where Trump has sought to gain traction. Asked recently whether women would be a decisive force in this election, Harris responded that she aims to represent “all Americans,” positioning herself as an inclusive candidate who will prioritize unity.
Several Republican women, including former presidential candidate Nikki Haley, have called out Trump’s approach. Haley, who served as U.N. ambassador during Trump’s first term, warned that Trump’s campaign should avoid overt “masculine” displays, arguing that women care about how they’re spoken to and the issues that impact their lives. Yet, despite offering to campaign with him, Haley has not been featured at Trump’s recent events.
In response to critiques, Trump’s team emphasizes his commitment to issues they believe will appeal to women, such as stronger border security and economic policies. Campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s approach, arguing that women deserve a president who will “remove violent criminals” and support economic growth, themes she believes will resonate with female voters.
Trump’s events often embrace a “macho” style, including songs like “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” playing in the background, along with appearances from figures like former wrestler Hulk Hogan, who ripped off his shirt during a rally. These appearances reflect Trump’s efforts to appeal directly to men while indirectly reinforcing traditional masculine ideals to attract conservative women drawn to the idea of a strong “protector” figure. For instance, Kim Saunders, a rally attendee from Virginia, expressed support for Trump’s stance, saying, “I want protection” and appreciating Trump’s “alpha male” qualities.
The gender gap facing Trump is also partially attributed to his role in the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, which removed federal protections for abortion rights. This decision has galvanized many women voters, who, according to recent polls, tend to support Harris’s pro-choice stance. Although Trump has tried to mitigate this by shifting focus to other issues, the reversal of Roe remains a point of contention.
When questioned about his gendered language and the critique that he does not surround himself with strong women, Trump pointed to his hiring record, noting that women led both his 2016 and 2024 campaigns. However, as he campaigns against Harris, he often reverts to gendered language, framing her as too “fragile” for leadership and arguing she would be overwhelmed on the world stage.
In the final stretch of the campaign, Trump’s language remains consistent with his past rhetoric, a decision that may resonate with his base but risks further alienating undecided or moderate women voters. Whether this approach will close the gender gap remains uncertain as Election Day looms.
