Donald Trump 's win in the 2024 US presidential polls has emboldened extremist voices within the so-called " manosphere " -- a collection of online communities that promote various forms of misogyny, anti-feminism, and beliefs centered around male supremacy -- according to a study by the Institute of Strategic Dialogues (ISD).
What the report says
ISD researchers tracked narratives targeting women and the discussion of those narratives between November 4 and 6, 2024, across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Facebook and Reddit.
The use of derogatory and misogynistic language was already rife among well-noted manosphere and extremist communities on these platforms, and this activity gained steam in the three days since the election on November 5.
ISD also observed reports of these narratives being used to harass women offline, particularly on high school and college campuses.
The phrase "your body, my choice" has emerged as a rallying cry in various social movements, particularly in reaction to the heated debate over women's rights and reproductive health during the elections.
With Donald Trump 's return to power, there are concerns that incel ideology may gain traction in mainstream discourse, potentially exacerbating incidents of sexual harassment and regressive attitudes towards women.
What is Incel culture?
Incel culture, short for "involuntary celibate", has long existed on the fringes of society, often manifesting in online forums where individuals express their frustrations about romantic and sexual relationships.
The resurgence of this ideology can be linked to broader societal shifts and the normalisation of misogynistic rhetoric, particularly during Trump's first presidency.
Trump's controversial comments about women, including the infamous "grab them by the p***y" remark in a 2005 Access Hollywood tape, have emboldened certain segments of society to express regressive views openly.
Under Trump
Since Trump's election in 2016, there has been a notable increase in incidents of sexual harassment against women both online and offline.
Reports indicate that following Trump's election, incidents of sexual harassment surged significantly.
For instance, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 54% of women reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime, with many attributing this rise to the political climate fostered by Trump's first administration.
The normalisation of derogatory language and attitudes towards women has created an environment where misogyny is more readily accepted and expressed.
Moreover, Trump's administration implemented policies that critics argue have made it more difficult for victims of sexual harassment to seek justice. Changes to Title IX regulations under his administration narrowed the definition of sexual harassment and made it harder for universities to investigate claims.
This shift not only undermined the protections afforded to victims but also sent a message that such behaviors were less serious than previously acknowledged.
Manosphere in the mainstream
As Trump prepares for another term in office, there is growing concern about what this means for women's rights and societal attitudes towards gender equality. His continued influence may embolden those who harbour incel beliefs or similar ideologies, potentially leading to an increase in both online and offline harassment against women.
The phrase "your body, my choice", altered from a slogan for reproductive rights (my body, my choice), was co-opted by far-right figures like Nick Fuentes to mock women's autonomy.
Fuentes' adaptation has been used to mock and belittle women expressing concerns about their rights post-election.
Fuentes' post on X (formerly Twitter) received immense attention, garnering over 90 million views and 35 million shares by November 11.
Moreover, Trump's connection with figures like Andrew Tate — who is known for his extreme misogynistic views —further illustrates how his rhetoric aligns with broader trends within male-dominated online communities.
Tate has publicly announced his intention to return to the US, citing Trump's victory as a motivating factor.
By engaging with such figures, Trump not only legitimised their views but also encouraged a culture where misogyny is seen as acceptable among certain demographics.
Women fight back
In response to rising gender-based violence and economic disparities in the US, women have reignited the ' 4B movement ', which originated in South Korea in the mid-2010s.
This feminist initiative advocates for women to reject traditional relationships with men, encapsulated in the four "nos":
Biyeonae (No Dating): Rejecting romantic relationships with men. Bisekseu (No Sex): Abstaining from sexual relationships with men. Bihon (No Marriage): Opting out of heterosexual marriage. Bichulsan (No Childbirth): Choosing not to bear children with men.
The recent political climate in the US, particularly Trump's presidency, has reignited interest in the 4B movement among American women. Many young liberal women are expressing their discontent on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, linking their frustrations to Trump's perceived misogyny and the rollback of women's rights, including abortion access. Following Trump's election victory, social media discussions around the 4B movement surged as women sought to reclaim their autonomy amid what they view as a hostile political environment.
The 4B movement represents a radical shift in how some women perceive relationships with men.
Experts say the 4B movement is more than just a rejection of relationships; it is a powerful statement against systemic oppression and gender inequality. As it gains momentum in US, it challenges conventional ideas about marriage, motherhood, and female autonomy.
The future of this movement remains uncertain; however, its emergence signals a significant cultural shift among younger generations unwilling to compromise on their rights and desires.
What the report says
ISD researchers tracked narratives targeting women and the discussion of those narratives between November 4 and 6, 2024, across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Facebook and Reddit.
The use of derogatory and misogynistic language was already rife among well-noted manosphere and extremist communities on these platforms, and this activity gained steam in the three days since the election on November 5.
ISD also observed reports of these narratives being used to harass women offline, particularly on high school and college campuses.
- In the past 24 hours, there has been a 4,600 per cent increase in mentions of the terms "your body, my choice" and "get back in the kitchen" on X.
- Similarly misogynist language, such as the use of "dumb c***" to target Harris, television personalities such as Rachel Maddow and others, received more than 64,000 mentions on X from more than 42,000 accounts on November 5.
- Nick Fuentes , an influential white nationalist podcaster, appears to be one of the early instigators in promoting the phrase on November 5. His X post, "Your body, my choice. Forever." has since received 35 million views.
- Previous calls to repeal the 19th Amendment, which previously spiked on X on October 22, resurfaced online. Posts calling for the repeal of the amendment increased by 663 per cent compared with the week prior. [The 19th Amendment legally guarantees American women the right to vote.]
- Manosphere influencer Andrew Tate , in a post on X on November 7, stated: "I saw a woman crossing the road today but I just kept my foot down. Right of way? You no longer have rights." The post received 6,88,000 views in under two hours.
The phrase "your body, my choice" has emerged as a rallying cry in various social movements, particularly in reaction to the heated debate over women's rights and reproductive health during the elections.
With Donald Trump 's return to power, there are concerns that incel ideology may gain traction in mainstream discourse, potentially exacerbating incidents of sexual harassment and regressive attitudes towards women.
What is Incel culture?
Incel culture, short for "involuntary celibate", has long existed on the fringes of society, often manifesting in online forums where individuals express their frustrations about romantic and sexual relationships.
The resurgence of this ideology can be linked to broader societal shifts and the normalisation of misogynistic rhetoric, particularly during Trump's first presidency.
Trump's controversial comments about women, including the infamous "grab them by the p***y" remark in a 2005 Access Hollywood tape, have emboldened certain segments of society to express regressive views openly.
Under Trump
Since Trump's election in 2016, there has been a notable increase in incidents of sexual harassment against women both online and offline.
Reports indicate that following Trump's election, incidents of sexual harassment surged significantly.
For instance, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 54% of women reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime, with many attributing this rise to the political climate fostered by Trump's first administration.
The normalisation of derogatory language and attitudes towards women has created an environment where misogyny is more readily accepted and expressed.
Moreover, Trump's administration implemented policies that critics argue have made it more difficult for victims of sexual harassment to seek justice. Changes to Title IX regulations under his administration narrowed the definition of sexual harassment and made it harder for universities to investigate claims.
This shift not only undermined the protections afforded to victims but also sent a message that such behaviors were less serious than previously acknowledged.
Manosphere in the mainstream
As Trump prepares for another term in office, there is growing concern about what this means for women's rights and societal attitudes towards gender equality. His continued influence may embolden those who harbour incel beliefs or similar ideologies, potentially leading to an increase in both online and offline harassment against women.
The phrase "your body, my choice", altered from a slogan for reproductive rights (my body, my choice), was co-opted by far-right figures like Nick Fuentes to mock women's autonomy.
Fuentes' adaptation has been used to mock and belittle women expressing concerns about their rights post-election.
Fuentes' post on X (formerly Twitter) received immense attention, garnering over 90 million views and 35 million shares by November 11.
Moreover, Trump's connection with figures like Andrew Tate — who is known for his extreme misogynistic views —further illustrates how his rhetoric aligns with broader trends within male-dominated online communities.
Tate has publicly announced his intention to return to the US, citing Trump's victory as a motivating factor.
By engaging with such figures, Trump not only legitimised their views but also encouraged a culture where misogyny is seen as acceptable among certain demographics.
Women fight back
In response to rising gender-based violence and economic disparities in the US, women have reignited the ' 4B movement ', which originated in South Korea in the mid-2010s.
This feminist initiative advocates for women to reject traditional relationships with men, encapsulated in the four "nos":
The recent political climate in the US, particularly Trump's presidency, has reignited interest in the 4B movement among American women. Many young liberal women are expressing their discontent on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, linking their frustrations to Trump's perceived misogyny and the rollback of women's rights, including abortion access. Following Trump's election victory, social media discussions around the 4B movement surged as women sought to reclaim their autonomy amid what they view as a hostile political environment.
The 4B movement represents a radical shift in how some women perceive relationships with men.
Experts say the 4B movement is more than just a rejection of relationships; it is a powerful statement against systemic oppression and gender inequality. As it gains momentum in US, it challenges conventional ideas about marriage, motherhood, and female autonomy.
The future of this movement remains uncertain; however, its emergence signals a significant cultural shift among younger generations unwilling to compromise on their rights and desires.
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