In the years since Donald Trump burst onto the political scene, his views and actions towards women have been a subject of controversy, condemnation, and, disturbingly, normalisation. From his infamous remarks about grabbing women to his administration’s rollbacks of gender equality initiatives, Trump has consistently displayed attitudes that devalue women’s autonomy and dignity. This is not merely a personal failing. It has made him the perfect Trojan horse for the far right’s broader agenda to erode women’s rights in America.
At first glance, Trump might seem an unlikely standard-bearer for a movement that claims to champion “family values.” A thrice-married man with a well-documented history of infidelity and allegations of sexual misconduct, his personal life hardly aligns with the puritanical morality traditionally espoused by the right. Yet, his blatant disregard for women’s autonomy aligns disturbingly well with the ideological underpinnings of a far-right movement eager to roll back decades of progress on gender equality.
Trump’s presidency revealed how his personal disdain for women’s equality could be leveraged to serve a larger political project. Under his administration, policies were introduced that undermined reproductive rights, rolled back workplace protections for women, and curtailed access to healthcare critical for their well-being. His Supreme Court appointments—arguably his most enduring legacy—cemented a conservative majority that swiftly overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping millions of women of their reproductive autonomy.
But Trump’s role goes beyond policymaking. His rhetoric and behaviour have created a permissive culture where misogyny is not only tolerated but celebrated. By consistently dismissing or belittling women who challenge him, from political rivals to survivors of assault, he has emboldened a wave of male leaders who see women’s rights as expendable in their pursuit of power. His presidency became a signal to the far right that gender inequality could be normalised under the guise of populism and “draining the swamp.”
This is where Trump’s utility as a Trojan horse becomes apparent. To many of his supporters, his crassness and disregard for decorum are framed as authenticity, a welcome reprieve from what they perceive as political correctness gone mad. But behind that bluster lies a strategic alignment with a far-right agenda that seeks to relegate women to second-class status. His populist appeal disguises the fact that his administration systematically dismantled protections for women, creating fertile ground for a broader conservative assault on equality.
The far right understands that its agenda to reverse women’s rights might not succeed under a leader who openly espouses traditionalist dogma or overtly patriarchal views. Enter Trump, whose bombastic personality and appeal to grievance politics distract from the structural consequences of his leadership. While his base cheers his attacks on “woke culture,” the real winners are the ideologues quietly dismantling the frameworks that protect women’s freedoms.
It is no coincidence that many of Trump’s closest allies and appointees have faced accusations of sexual misconduct or have publicly espoused retrograde views on gender roles. These controversies are not isolated incidents but reflections of a broader culture of impunity and entitlement that thrives within Trump’s orbit. By surrounding himself with figures who share his disdain for accountability, Trump has created a political environment where assaults on women’s rights are not only possible but inevitable.
The implications of Trump’s legacy go beyond his time in office. By normalising a culture of misogyny and championing policies that undermine gender equality, he has paved the way for future leaders to continue this work under the radar. The far right’s project to reverse women’s rights has gained traction not despite Trump’s personal flaws, but because of them. His attitudes towards women make him an ideal figurehead for a movement that seeks to turn back the clock on gender equality.
Trump may not be the architect of the far right’s war on women, but he has been its most effective instrument. His presidency has revealed how personal misogyny can be weaponised to serve an ideological agenda, cloaking regressive policies in the guise of populist bravado. For those who value women’s rights and equality, understanding this dynamic is essential. Trump is not merely a political anomaly—he is the Trojan horse through which the far right has infiltrated the mainstream, leaving the future of gender equality hanging in the balance.
