Recent analysis by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) highlights concerning trends in social media, where sexist and abusive remarks aimed at women have intensified sharply since Donald Trump’s re-election campaign. The rise in hostile phrases, particularly “your body, my choice” and “get back to the kitchen,” marks a troubling shift in online discourse, suggesting that far-right extremist groups are feeling emboldened to express misogynistic views openly.
One of the notable catalysts for this surge was an incendiary post by Nick Fuentes, a recognized white nationalist and Holocaust denier. His message “Your body, my choice. Forever,” posted on X (formerly Twitter) garnered over 90 million views and was reposted 35 million times. The ISD tracked an alarming 4,600% spike in mentions of the phrase “your body, my choice” across social media platforms in a matter of days. Many women have reported receiving unsolicited comments laced with the phrase on TikTok, highlighting the pervasive nature of the harassment.
Reports suggest that the phrase “we own your body” also gained traction on TikTok, drawing attention not only from hostile individuals but also from women who vocally opposed this narrative. The phrase appears to be a deliberate inversion of “my body, my choice,” which has long been a cornerstone in the fight for reproductive rights among women. This manipulation of language signals a disturbing trend where terms are co-opted to undermine and mock the movement for women’s autonomy.
The rise in online harassment correlates directly with a sense of victory felt by far-right groups in the wake of what they perceived to be a referendum on reproductive rights during the elections. Trump faced significant backlash for various comments concerning women on the campaign trail, where he asserted he would protect women, “whether they like it or not.” Similarly, Vice President-elect JD Vance made contentious remarks that were seen as derogatory towards women, including disparaging comments about “childless cat ladies” and offensive comparisons involving Vice President Kamala Harris.
Individuals within the so-called “manosphere,” which the ISD outlines as an assemblage of online communities steeped in misogyny, are often at the forefront of expressing these hostile sentiments. These online environments advocate anti-feminism and can veer into violent rhetoric towards women. Specialists fear that the aggressive tactics seen in the online realm may translate to real-world violence, particularly as social media becomes a breeding ground for toxic ideologies.
Instances of offline harassment directly inspired by these online discussions have already emerged, with young girls and parents documenting their experiences. Reports indicate that phrases like “your body, my choice” have been used verbally in school settings or even chanted by young boys, further emphasizing the reach of these misogynistic memes.
Furthermore, some users on X and TikTok responded to the hostile rhetoric with vague threats of retaliatory violence, highlighting the culture of intimidation that has come to surround discussions about women’s rights. The virulence of the reactions indicates a deeply entrenched misogyny that prompts defensive posturing among men threatened by movements for women’s autonomy.
Posts calling for the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, increased by an astonishing 663% on X last week compared to the prior week. This spike reflects not only a concerted effort to diminish women’s rights but also an unsettling alignment of vocal supporters celebrating these sentiments.
As this alarming discourse unfolds, both X and TikTok have been largely silent on the rising trends of misogynistic hashtags and comments. The platforms’ policies appear to primarily address targeted abuse, allowing broader misogyny to proliferate unchecked. The situation is compounded by other alarming incidents, such as reports of anonymous, racist text messages received by Black individuals across the nation, referencing slavery, which also raises fears about potential acts of violence.
It is an undeniably tumultuous time on social media platforms as they grapple with the implications of free speech versus the responsibilities to combat hate speech and harassment, particularly aimed at marginalized groups. The intersection of political outcomes and social media discourse proves to be a volatile mix, necessitating further scrutiny and action from authorities as well as social media companies.
