As Donald Trump attempts to return to the White House, his difficulty in capturing the attention of voters could cost him dearly. Refusing invitations to popular women’s platforms, he favors a speech addressed to men, at the risk of driving a wedge with the female electorate, essential to winning the election.
As Donald Trump finishes his third presidential campaign, his strategy for appealing to women remains one of the most scrutinized aspects of his candidacy. His approach, largely focused on a male audience via right-wing platforms, could well cost him dearly with female voters, a crucial and loyal group at the polls.
A refusal to expand its audience
When Kamala Harris, Democratic vice president, was a guest on Alex Cooper’s popular Call Her Daddy podcast, she took the opportunity to denounce Trump’s positions on women’s rights. Alex Cooper had also asked Trump to participate, but he declined the invitation. In Cooper’s mind, the offer was simple: “If he wants a deep conversation about women’s rights in this country, he’s welcome.“But Trump preferred to speak directly to young men via online shows dominated by conservative hosts. For Harris, this lack of dialogue by Trump with women shows a lack of respect: “He respects neither the freedom of women, nor their intelligence to decide on their own lives,” she said during a meeting in Reno, Nevada.
A long-standing problem
Since his beginnings in politics, Donald Trump has struggled to convince female voters, particularly educated women, who distanced themselves from him during his first term. The recent decision by the US Supreme Court to revoke the federal right to abortion has further widened the gap. Trump, after celebrating this decision, is now trying to qualify his position, affirming that he does not adhere to total ban laws in certain states, but without success with women, according to polls. Republicans are trying to downplay this “women’s issue.” “Early voting was largely female. If men stay home, Kamala Harris will become president, it’s that simple,” alerted Charlie Kirk, president of Turning Point Action, a conservative organization.
An inappropriate message
Faced with advice to tone down his speech, Trump responded, saying: “Ie want to protect the women of our country, whether they like it or not.” These comments, which quickly made the rounds on social networks, were taken up by the Harris campaign, further accentuating his image as a man disconnected from the concerns of women. In response to the criticism, Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt , defended his policy by saying: “Women deserve a president who will keep our nation safe, keep criminals out of our neighborhoods, and build an economy that supports our families.“
Trump’s allies step up
To attract female voters, Trump’s campaign team launched a “women’s tour”, with pro-Trump figures, including former Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. But the effectiveness of this initiative remains to be proven. Trump’s campaign also tried to capitalize on the support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., hoping to attract women skeptical of the government.
A lack of openness towards its female competitors
While his former primary rival, Nikki Haley, continues to appeal to a female base within the Republicans, Trump remains reluctant to collaborate with her. Haley did not fail to point out that “53% of the electorate is female. Women will vote and they care about how they are addressed and what topics are discussed.“Trump’s choice to remain focused on a male audience may well cost him, as Harris continues to speak directly to the concerns of female voters.
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