Trump vs Woke Feminism
Season 2 is coming in hot with my analysis of the Trump election victory and what it means for feminists.
Please note: I am not a pro-Trump advocate, and this is not political commentary. This is cultural commentary exploring the broader ongoing tensions beneath the “shock” election result.
I’ve been speaking for some time about the failings of neoliberal woke feminism, in the way it demonises men and the masculine, and drives women to a state of unsustainable burnout in our quest to do it all.
Trump is a lightning rod for this cultural moment. The election result, clapback of all clapbacks, has brought all these gender dynamics which were bubbling away under the surface up to the light of day to be reckoned with.
This episode unpacks the ways in which woke feminism has contributed to the twin epidemics of female burnout and male depression; the appeal of Trump not just to “angry white men” but also to women and non-white voters; and our not-so-secret craving for alpha masculine strength and stability in this chaotic late-stage capitalist world.
Ultimately, this is an invitation to explore new models of feminism: stepping off the self-righteous soapbox, honouring both men and women, and leading by listening rather than arrogantly assuming we know best.
If this episode resonates, please rate and review wherever you get your podcasts, and/or share with a friend who you think might enjoy it. Thank you for listening!
References
Conroy, O. 2017 'Angry white men': the sociologist who studied Trump's base before Trump, The Guardian Australia, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/27/michael-kimmel-masculinity-far-right-angry-white-men
Crabb, A. 2014 The Wife Drought, Ebury Australia
Crowley, T. Nov 2024 The popular vote tells the story of Trump's victory, with inroads in most states and demographics, ABC https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-07/trump-victory-by-the-numbers/104573034
Kahloon, I. 2023 What’s the Matter with Men?, The New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/30/whats-the-matter-with-men
Kimmel, M. 2013, Angry White Men, Nation Books
Smerconish, M. Nov 2024 Why did young men shift to Trump? 'Aspirational masculinity', says Scott Galloway, CNN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjwYQ4kIgEw
