How Trump Has Used Debates to Belittle Women

The New York Times ^ | Sept. 9, 2024, 12:30 p.m. ET | Jess Bidgood

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It seems a strange twist of American history that the only man to have run against two female nominees in two presidential elections is one with a long and explicit record of denigrating women.

From the earliest days of his presidential candidacy in 2015 to a Trump Tower news conference on Friday, Donald J. Trump has repeatedly attempted to attack, embarrass and threaten the women standing in his way — especially on the debate stage.

Mr. Trump has, of course, treated men with intense bellicosity, launching a blizzard of interruptions against President Biden during their first debate in 2020 and lobbing personal insults at the likes of Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz during the primary in 2016.

But a review of his onstage clashes with women shows how, over nine years in politics, he has honed a playbook of explicitly gendered attacks against both female candidates and journalists that he is likely to draw from on Tuesday when he debates Vice President Kamala Harris. Mr. Trump has used his physical presence and body language to intimidate women, made veiled threats, complained that they were uniquely mean and belittled their qualifications in a way that many women view as open sexism.

In fact, the first time he ever spoke of a female presidential candidate on a debate stage, it was to brag about the control he had over her.

“I said, ‘Be at my wedding,’ and she came to my wedding, you know why?” Mr. Trump said, answering a question about his previous donations to Hillary Clinton in the first Republican primary debate in 2015. “She had no choice, because I gave.”

The Trump campaign defended his treatment of women and female journalists during debates.

[TauntedTiger]

He treats them just like he would a man. And of course that makes him sexist!

[jonrick46]

You nailed it! The New York Slims run on gaslight gas.

[Pearfect]

NYT

NOT YOUR TRUTH

[RetiredTexasVet]

Impossible ... NY Times cannot even define a woman ... Trump belittles fools, drunks and progressive without discrimination.

[cowboyusa]

With her record.

[Kudsman]

Fair enough. I hope you are right.

[AndyTheBear]

Like rioting, the Left owns belittling and is upset if somebody else does it even a little bit.

[Ninaq]

Really tired of media telling us that woman must be treated differently.
But yet they tell us woman are so strong and powerful and make great leaders.
But just treat them with kid gloves, since they are kinda sensitive.

[unclebankster]

Oh! the “double standard” approach for the female candidate.
That’s where the female wants to play with the Big Boys, but wants to “change the rules of politics” to her advantage.

Nothing will help Harris this election, she’s not a leader and the pressure on her will only increase as November 5th approaches.

[Varsity Flight]

Shame Front

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They don’t even know what a woman is.

[princess leah]

I hope the democrat party gets what’s coming to them-a complete repudiation of ALL candidates…
She is such a Bitch and a Liar!
I am Praying that Trump shows good self discipline, doesn’t talk about himself as a victim but rather as the leader of the FREE world that America needs Right now to help in a great time of trouble. focus on the things that matter to all of us….Safety, Economy, Freedom!

[virgil]

Women can be pretty vicious too.

[Kudsman]

He treats them just like he would a man. And of course that makes him sexist!

Wow. You are going to twist up the already lost with that one. May I steal it for my tag?

[Lopeover]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

How marxist-democrat media have rigged debates to cover for their selected marxist-democrat candidate.

[Maris Crane]

Does it bother you that someone thinks both sexes make mistakes, BUT, the female is usually the sort that is the dumbest, stupidest women who have surfaced as the least likely to solve problems in government...

I think it needs more research, especially considering how well Governor Huckabee Sanders is doing in Arkansas.

Can’t paint with a broad brush...BUT MANY WOMEN ARE JUST NOT EQUIPPED.

COMRADE kAMALA IS ONE.

[TauntedTiger]

Have at it!

[alancarp]

They’re running for President, not a school PTA position. If you can’t take it, then what in the world are you doing on this stage???