Despite All Allegations: Why Women Voted for Trump
Women Vote for Trump: Uncovering the Compelling Reasons Behind Their Choices
The sight of a red "Republicans are hotter" slogan emblazoned on a white T-shirt can stir emotions. Morgonn McMichaels, a 24-year-old American woman, donned such a shirt as a statement of her support for Donald Trump during the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. Trump, once again, took the oath as the President of the United States. But one might wonder why women, who are often the victims of Trump's disregard for their rights and dignity, choose to vote for him.
Morgonn is one of the million plus voting-eligible women in the United States who turned the wheels for Trump, boasting over 47,000 followers on Instagram. Her profile is filled with a mix of attractive selfies, clad with Make America Great Again caps, and street interviews with Trump critics.
A Lifelong Republican
The content disseminated by Hannah Faulkner, a 17-year-old girl, on her Instagram account is strikingly similar. With over 11,000 followers, she features pictures with Trump and delves deep into discussions about the dangers of the trans community, the role of women in the family, and, of course, Donald Trump. Despite her conservative and outdated stance on women's roles, her objective is not to subjugate women but to carve a niche for herself as a confident, independent, and self-reliant young woman. A paradox, indeed.
Trump's derogatory comments and allegations concerning women have dated back decades, including a 2023 conviction for sexual misconduct[3]. Since the 1970s, over 26 women have accused Trump of assault, coercion, and harassment[4]. The world was left in shock when a 2005 video surfaced, revealing Trump casually bragging about groping women. However, rather than repelling Trump supporters, especially women, these revelations did little to sway their allegiance. The reasons behind female Trump supporters are complex, layered, and intriguing.
Faith as a Guiding Force
For Penny Gallagher in Michigan, religion serves as the decisive factor in her vote for Kamala Harris, not so much for her mother. "I've considered having a conversation with my parents about this, given how much is at stake, but I chose not to, as I didn't want confrontation" she admits. Gallagher understands her mother's reasons: "The sole reason my mother votes is her Pro-Life stance, and she doesn't believe in abortion."
Religion holds a significant position in the United States, with over 70% of the population identifying as Christian[6]. The white Evangelicals, with 13.6% of the total US population, form the backbone of Trump's support according to the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI)[7]. Trump succeeded in rallying up to 84% of the white Evangelicals during the 2020 elections due to his Pro-Life policies[8]. The Supreme Court's decision in 2018 to overturn the nationwide right to abortion[9] was partially orchestrated by Trump's three conservative judicial appointments, thereby solidifying the influence of the conservatives in the Supreme Court.
"I Would Vote for Trump"
While men tend to cast their votes for Trump, there are women who do as well. Lina Bauer, a German expatriate residing in Oregon since 2016, declares that she would vote for Trump if given the opportunity. "The reasons I support Trump are collective: the economy, secure borders and cities, freedom of speech, and peace. Moreover, I'm hopeful that his partnership with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may bring about some positive changes in health policy[10]. I find the MAHA Movement (Make America Healthy Again) fantastic."
A United America?
While Trump's derogatory words towards women don't sway many of them, other aspects, values, and ideologies deeply rooted in the Republican identity take center stage. Trump himself fades into the background as a person with his array of eccentricities, leaving his solid political beliefs and actions as the primary draw for his female supporters. Bauer stresses that "people vote for Trump not as a person but for his politics and for the changes he hopes to implement, in contrast to the previous four years under Biden and Harris." Other reasons, according to Bauer, include a stronger economy, better immigration control, and an end to conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. She claims that Trump was the only President in recent history not to initiate any new conflicts. While this is generally accurate[11], it's worth noting that, like his predecessor Barack Obama, Trump ordered thousands of drone strikes in Afghanistan during his first term[12].
Gallagher corroborates Bauer's account. While Trump's inappropriate remarks towards women served as a significant argument against him for Gallagher, they took a backseat for many other women. "I believe that most women who identify with conservative and right-wing circles are deeply religious, hence their opposition to abortion. Therefore, they tend to vote for Trump."
Laughing at America
Sophie Witthoft, a German student studying abroad in Long Beach, California, shares similar reasons to Gallagher and Bauer: "I've met American women who support Trump, but the main motivation is that they come from families that are all Republicans and thus rather conservative. Here, many people are deeply religious and family-oriented, choosing not to break with this tradition." Witthoft shares that many Americans are ashamed of Trump's behavior: "People often use phrases like 'the whole world is laughing at us,' but this doesn't seem to discourage them from supporting the Republican Party."
The political socialization process plays a significant role in shaping women's voting preferences. This process is heavily influenced by parents, who are often the first to introduce their children to politics[13]. Known as the "Michigan Model," the political socialization process acts as a filter, allowing certain factors (e.g., policy positions or charismatic appeals) to resonate more strongly than others (e.g., controversies regarding personal behavior or character). Moreover, the two-party system reinforces these preconceived notions, making it challenging to break free from deeply ingrained party inclinations.
Despite encountering continuous Criticism, skepticism, and shock[1][2][5], Trump was once again chosen President of the United States. Gallagher expresses her dismay and fear for the future: "I'm very disappointed and frightened. I'm concerned about starting a family in the next four years. Americans can be so short-sighted."
Brackets denoting changes in gender were added based on the "gender-neutral language" enrichment data.The names of two protagonists were changed according to the "anonymity for privacy" enrichment data.
Political Week Focusing on the U.S. Election 2024
Donald Trump has taken the presidency once again in the United States. On November 5, Americans elected their new President. Kamala Harris lost as a second woman against Donald Trump. What does this mean for the United States and the world? What is the current mood in Germany and Hamburg? Our website will provide updates on the latest news around the election for the next week.
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- Despite Trump's history of controversial remarks and allegations towards women, such as the 2005 video revealing his comments about groping women, many female supporters, like Lina Bauer, continue to support him due to his political beliefs and actions, such as his Pro-Life policies and economic policies, finding the MAHA Movement (Make America Healthy Again) fantastic.
- Hannah Faulkner, a young conservative woman, also takes to social media to express her support for Trump, delving deep into discussions about the dangers of the trans community, the role of women in the family, and about Donald Trump, despite her outdated stance on women's roles, her objective is to carve a niche for herself as a confident, independent, and self-reliant young woman, a paradox indeed.
