Your Body My Choice: Surge in Hate Speech Against Women After Trump’s Win Sparks Outrage on Social Media
Your Body My Choice: In the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection victory, hate speech targeting women has surged across social media platforms, with disturbing phrases like “your body, my choice” being weaponized to harass and intimidate. The phrase, a twisted mockery of the pro-choice slogan “my body, my choice,” has been used by far-right trolls to spread abusive rhetoric, particularly on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). This disturbing trend was noted in an analysis by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), which recorded a dramatic spike in hate speech following Trump’s win.
Far-Right Trolls Amplify Attacks on Women’s Rights
On X, a post by white nationalist Nick Fuentes reading “Your body, my choice. Forever” garnered over 90 million views and was shared more than 35,000 times. Between November 7 and 8, the ISD observed an astonishing 4,600% rise in the usage of this phrase on social media. Women on TikTok have also reported receiving an influx of targeted harassment, with the phrase being used to attack their autonomy and reproductive rights.
The phrase “your body, my choice” has become a symbol of anti-women rhetoric, subverting the original pro-choice message advocating for women’s right to control their own bodies. Far-right figures, emboldened by Trump’s victory, have been vocal in their attacks on women’s rights, with Trump himself facing criticism for dismissive comments, including one where he said he would protect women “whether they like it or not.”
The Repeal of the 19th Amendment: A Disturbing Trend
The hate speech targeting women has expanded beyond individual harassment to include calls for a rollback of women’s rights. The ISD reported a 663% increase in posts calling for the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which grants women the right to vote. One viral post by Jon Miller, a former contributor to TheBlaze, mocking women’s “sex strike” discussions, was viewed 85 million times, amplifying the vitriol on the platform.
Social Media Platforms Respond to Rising Hate Speech
Social media platforms are facing pressure to address the spike in misogynistic content. While X did not respond to a request for comment, a TikTok spokesperson confirmed that the platform had taken down content using the phrase “your body, my choice” unless it was explicitly condemning the language. TikTok has already removed several videos flagged by CNN that appeared to encourage violence or retaliation against women.
Women’s rights advocates are raising alarms over the rise in online hate speech, with many concerned about the real-world impact of these online attacks. Social media remains a battleground for women’s autonomy and rights as the political climate continues to shift, especially in the wake of significant electoral victories.
