Trump's second term: A polarizing win among American women

Exit polls show that in key states, 54% of women voted for Kamala Harris, whilst 44% voted for her opponent, according to NBC News. Donald Trump experienced a significant defeat among Black women, with only 7% supporting him. Latino women largely backed the Democratic candidate. However, the soon-to-be President had strong support among white women, with 52% voting in his favour.

More women voted for Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential elections than for her opponent. This is indisputable. However, it does not imply that the President-elect lacked considerable support from women. Some women voiced their support for him and even defended his remarks and beliefs.

"Trump was mocked by the left for saying he would be a defender of women. And he will be a defender of women! That's why I'm voting for him. He will close the border. He won't let boys play women's sports and won't let them be where they shouldn't be," declared a woman at a Donald Trump rally before the presidential election.

Many thoughtful women were perplexed by this situation, especially given that the 78-year-old politician often spoke about women in a manner that caused serious concern. He was outspoken against Mika Brzezinski, daughter of the former Polish National Security Advisor, who had criticised him. He referred to her as: "Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year’s Eve, and insisted on joining me"

The incident involving American journalist Megyn Kelly drew attention when she delivered an impassioned speech during an event in Pittsburgh, explaining her keen intent to vote for Donald Trump. At the time, the man did not shy away from expressing appreciation for her. Kamala Harris's female supporters were forthright in their comments, and social media was rife with vivid commentary.

"She humiliated herself," "Pathetic," "Watching Megyn Kelly, who was a victim of unwanted sexual advances, embrace a man who boasts about such behaviour is simply appalling," remarked users on the X platform (formerly Twitter).

"Slate" columnist Anna Rollins noted that, before the elections, adverts were circulating online encouraging women to vote. "On Instagram several days before the election, a political ad targeted to conservative women popped up on my feed. Your vote is secret, the ad said. No one needs to know who you cast your ballot for,'" it encouraged.

There was also a meme-open letter addressed to women supporting Trump, urging conservative women to recognise their own internalised patriarchy and victimisation. The letter "begged women not to become complicit in their own harm," the columnist reported. This was intended to provoke women, ultimately swaying many of their opinions. They preferred to listen to Donald Trump promising them protection despite his previous controversial statements and behaviour towards women.

Here's what the President-elect said about retired Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi: "We’ll stand up to crazy Nancy Pelosi, who ruined San Francisco — how’s her husband doing, anybody know?"

He accused Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of being too hot-tempered. "This is not even a smart person, other than she's got a good line of stuff. I mean, she goes out and she yaps." Regarding Hillary Clinton, he said: "Such a nasty woman," "If she were a man, I don't think she'd get 5 per cent of the vote." In 2015, he even ventured to say: "If Hillary Clinton can't satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America?"

Donald Trump has spoken about many celebrities in a sexist manner. In the case of Halle Berry, he noted that he "loves the upper part of her body," while about Kim Kardashian, he said: "Does she have a good body? No." Regarding Jessica Chastain, he confessed that, in his opinion: "She’s certainly not hot."

Worse still, he even ventured to evaluate the appearance of his wife and daughters publicly. Asked if he would stay with her if she were disfigured in a car accident, he replied: "It all depends on how her breasts look." Regarding his daughter Tiffany, he said: "Well, I think that she's got a lot of Marla. She's a really beautiful baby, and she's got Marla's legs," while about his daughter Ivanka: "She's actually always been very voluptuous," "She does have a very nice figure ... if [she] weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her."

In one statement, he summarised his attitude towards women: "You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em [...]. You can do anything."