A History of Disrespect: The Many Times Donald Trump Has Insulted and Degraded Women”

At a Pennsylvania rally on October 23, 2024, Trump falsely cast himself as a “protector” of women, claiming they wouldn’t be “thinking about abortion” if he were elected. “You will no longer be abandoned, lonely or scared. You will no longer be in danger. You will no longer have anxiety from all of the problems our country has today,” Trump said. “You will be protected, and I will be your protector.” 

Given this track record, many question how seriously his promises or statements regarding the protection or advancement of women can be taken. This statement shows his failure to grasp the gravity of women’s health issues and reproductive rights. His actions and language often seem at odds with the values he claims to uphold, leading critics to view his rhetoric as a political strategy rather than a genuine commitment to women’s issues.

Women should be deeply cautious of Donald Trump after his boastful support of overturning Roe v. Wade, which dismantled a long-standing constitutional right to abortion. His celebratory attitude toward the decision reveals a clear disregard for women’s reproductive autonomy, putting millions of lives and choices at risk.

If Donald Trump were a protector of women, he would not have brought former President Bill Clinton’s accusers to the second presidential debate against Hillary Clinton on October 9, 2016, in an attempt to cause embarrassment. Before the debate, Trump held a press conference with Paula Jones, Juanita Broaddrick, and Kathleen Willey, who had previously accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct. They were then seated in the audience during the debate as part of Trump’s strategy to make Hillary Clinton uncomfortable and deflect from the controversy surrounding the “Access Hollywood” tape. 

The Access Hollywood tape was a hot mic moment when host Billy Bush was interviewing Donald Trump. The tape surfaced two days before the debate when Donald Trump was recorded making lewd and offensive remarks about women in September 2005. He infamously said, “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 by the pussy.“ These comments sparked widespread outrage and raised serious concerns about his attitude toward women. Trump later dismissed the remarks as “locker room talk.”

Over two dozen women have accused Donald Trump of unwanted touching and inappropriate behavior, claiming he made unwanted advances, groped them, or kissed them without consent. These allegations span several decades and include instances from his time as a businessman and surfaced during his 2016 presidential campaign. A handful of women are listed below.

1. E. Jean Carroll: A writer, Carroll accused Trump of raping her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. She detailed the alleged assault in her 2019 memoir and pursued legal action.
2. Alva Johnson: A former Trump campaign staffer, Johnson accused Trump of forcibly kissing her during a 2016 campaign stop. She filed a lawsuit, which was later dropped, but maintains her claims.
3. Jessica Leeds: Leeds alleges Trump groped her on a flight in the 1980s, claiming he lifted the armrest and touched her inappropriately.
4. Summer Zervos: A former contestant on The Apprentice, Zervos accused Trump of kissing and groping her during a meeting in 2007. She filed a defamation lawsuit after Trump denied her allegations.
5. Jill Harth: A makeup artist, Harth accused Trump of groping her in the 1990s while discussing a potential business deal. She later filed a lawsuit, which was eventually withdrawn.
6. Kristin Anderson: Anderson claims Trump touched her inappropriately at a Manhattan nightclub in the early 1990s without her consent.
7. Lisa Boyne: Boyne accused Trump of inappropriate behavior at a dinner in the 1990s, alleging he made female guests walk around the table while he commented on their bodies.
8. Cathy Heller: Heller claims Trump forcibly kissed her on the lips at a Mother’s Day brunch in the late 1990s at Mar-a-Lago, despite her protests.
9. Temple Taggart: A former Miss Utah, Taggart alleges Trump kissed her on the lips without her consent during a 1997 meeting when she competed in the Miss USA pageant.
10. Mariah Billado: Billado, a former Miss Vermont Teen USA, claimed that Trump walked into the dressing room while contestants were undressed during the 1997 pageant.
11. Karena Virginia: Virginia alleged that Trump groped her at the 1998 U.S. Open, claiming he made lewd comments before touching her breast.
12. Bridget Sullivan: A former Miss New Hampshire, Sullivan claims Trump walked into the dressing room while contestants were changing during the 2000 Miss USA pageant.
13. Tasha Dixon: Dixon, Miss Arizona USA 2001, accused Trump of entering the dressing room unannounced while contestants were naked or changing during the pageant.
14. Melinda McGillivray: McGillivray accused Trump of groping her at Mar-a-Lago in 2003 during a concert, claiming he grabbed her from behind without consent.
15. Jennifer Murphy: A former contestant on The Apprentice, Murphy alleges that Trump kissed her on the lips without consent after a job interview in 2005.
16. Rachel Crooks: Crooks, a former receptionist in Trump Tower, accused Trump of forcibly kissing her on the lips during a chance meeting in 2005.
17. Natasha Stoynoff: Stoynoff, a former People magazine writer, alleged that Trump forcibly kissed her while she was interviewing him at Mar-a-Lago in 2005.
18. Cassandra Searles: A former Miss Washington USA, Searles claimed Trump groped her during the 2013 Miss USA pageant and treated the contestants like “cattle.”
19. Mindy McGillivray: McGillivray alleges that Trump groped her during an event at Mar-a-Lago in 2003, stating he grabbed her behind without consent.
20. Samantha Holvey: A Miss USA contestant in 2006, Holvey claimed Trump inspected her and other contestants inappropriately during pageant preparations.
21. Jessica Drake: Drake, an adult film actress, accused Trump of kissing her without consent and offering her money and a private jet ride during a 2006 golf tournament.
22. Ninni Laaksonen: A former Miss Finland, Laaksonen accused Trump of groping her in 2006 during a photoshoot before an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.

It’s plausible that more women may have chosen not to come forward due to fear of retribution from Trump and his base. Trump has a history of publicly discrediting and intimidating his accusers, calling them liars and threatening lawsuits, which could create a chilling effect. His decision to invite Bill Clinton’s accusers to a debate against Hillary Clinton in 2016 demonstrates how far he’s willing to go to weaponize any accusations. This tactic signals to potential accusers that they, too, could become targets of similar public humiliation and political theater.

In addition to his behavior involving inappropriate and unwanted physical advances, Donald Trump has repeatedly shown a pattern of disrespect toward women through derogatory name-calling. The examples below demonstrate a consistent use of belittling language, mainly aimed at undermining and trashing women. This rhetoric has sparked widespread criticism and continues to influence public conversations about Trump’s disrespect towards women.

1. “Fat Pig” – Refers to Alicia Machado, a former Miss Universe, after she gained weight.
2. “Disgusting Animal” – Used to describe Rosie O’Donnell, expressing contempt for her views.
3. “Nasty Woman” – Directed at Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential debate, which became a slogan for her supporters.
4. “Bimbo” – A term Trump has used to dismiss women he finds unattractive or disagreeable.
5. “Dog” – He referred to Michelle Obama as “a dog,” belittling her appearance.
6. “Low I.Q.” – Describing women like Maxine Waters, suggesting they lack intelligence.
7. “Blood coming out of her… wherever” – Comment about Megyn Kelly regarding her questioning style during a debate.
8. “Look at that face” – This remark about Carly Fiorina criticized her appearance.
9. “She’s just a mess” – Referring to Michelle Obama, attacking her character.
10. “Cuckoo” – Used to describe Elizabeth Warren, undermining her credibility.
11. “Peek-a-boo” – Mocking New York Attorney General Letitia James during a rally.
12. “Pocahontas” – A derogatory nickname for Elizabeth Warren related to her claims of Native American ancestry.
13. “Coco Chow” – Referencing Elaine Chao in a racially charged manner.
14. “The face of a dog” – A derogatory comment aimed at a former Miss Universe contestant.
15. “Crazy Nancy” – A nickname for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meant to undermine her authority.
16. “Total lightweight” – Used to describe various women in politics to belittle their influence.
17. “Dogface” – A derogatory term aimed at women opposing him.
18. “Clinton’s Housekeeper” refers to women in politics to their male counterparts, reducing their accomplishments.
19. “She’s a loser” – A phrase Trump has used to disparage women who criticize him or oppose his policies.
20. “A total disaster” – Describing women politicians who oppose him, implying they are ineffective.

While Trump is trying to rebrand himself as a defender of women, his record of disrespectful behavior and name-calling undermines that image for many. This contradiction has sparked debate about the sincerity of his messaging and raised doubts about his approach to women’s issues.