Over the past nine years in politics, former U.S. President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly used a playbook of gendered attacks in his confrontations with female opponents, candidates, and journalists. From his initial candidacy in 2015 to more recent public appearances, Trump has made a habit of belittling, intimidating, and mocking women on debate stages, often leveraging his physical presence and aggressive rhetoric.
One of the most significant aspects of Trump’s political career is his unique position as the only man to have faced two female presidential nominees in two separate elections—Hillary Clinton in 2016 and, likely, Kamala Harris in 2024. His approach to these debates has been marked by openly sexist behavior and tactics aimed at diminishing the qualifications and personas of his female opponents.
Trump’s Gendered Playbook: Debating Female Opponents
Trump’s combative approach to debating women became evident early in his political career. During his first Republican primary debate in 2015, Trump bragged about his influence over Hillary Clinton, the then-Democratic candidate, saying, “I said, ‘Be at my wedding,’ and she came to my wedding, you know why? She had no choice, because I gave.” This statement set the tone for his approach, using his power and control to demean female opponents.
In the 2016 presidential debates, Trump frequently insulted and interrupted Clinton, calling her a “nasty woman” in a widely publicized exchange. He dismissed her qualifications by saying she lacked “the stamina” to be president, an attack Clinton quickly rebutted by referencing her global diplomatic efforts and congressional testimony.
Trump’s belittling of women wasn’t confined to opponents. In a notable clash with Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly, he responded to her questions about his past derogatory remarks about women by quipping, “Only Rosie O’Donnell.” This exchange further revealed his pattern of deflecting criticisms of sexism by using personal insults.
Intimidation and Physical Presence
Trump’s debate strategy has often involved using his physical presence to intimidate female opponents. During the second 2016 presidential debate, Trump famously stalked Clinton around the stage, looming behind her as she spoke. The tactic, widely perceived as an attempt to physically and psychologically unsettle her, was a manifestation of Trump’s broader strategy of asserting dominance over women.
In a 2024 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s behavior is expected to follow similar lines. He has already hinted at using physical presence to intimidate Harris, mocking her height and suggesting that no “artificial lifts” should be used during their debate. This is consistent with his past efforts to frame his female opponents as physically inferior, as part of a broader attempt to undermine their leadership capabilities.
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Complaints of Unfair Treatment
Another key aspect of Trump’s behavior towards women in debates is his frequent complaints about being treated unfairly. During his confrontations with female journalists and moderators, Trump has often accused them of bias. He did so with Megyn Kelly and ABC’s Martha Raddatz, the only female moderator during his debates with Clinton in 2016. When faced with tough questions, Trump has repeatedly claimed that female moderators interrupt him more often than his opponents, framing them as overly aggressive or biased.
This narrative extended beyond the campaign trail. During his presidency, Trump frequently clashed with female journalists, especially women of color. In 2018, he accused Black female reporters of asking “racist” and “stupid” questions, and during an interview with ABC News in 2023, he complained that reporter Rachel Scott was being “hostile.”
The Impact of Trump’s Gendered Insults
Trump’s debates with Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO and his first female primary opponent in 2015, also exposed his penchant for gendered attacks. He infamously mocked Fiorina’s appearance, saying, “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that?” This comment followed him to the debate stage, where Fiorina turned the insult into a moment of empowerment by stating, “I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said.” Her response earned praise, but it highlighted the unique challenges women face when running against Trump, who consistently leans into sexist stereotypes to undermine his opponents.
Donald Trump’s debate tactics reveal a consistent pattern of gendered attacks, often designed to belittle and intimidate his female opponents. By leveraging personal insults, physical presence, and complaints of unfair treatment, Trump has created a playbook that undermines the qualifications and competence of women in public office. As Trump gears up for potential debates with Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election cycle, it remains to be seen whether these tactics will continue to define his approach and how they will resonate with voters.
