Last summer, during the Olympic excitement in Paris, I had dinner with a woman who shocked me by revealing she was a financial supporter of President-elect Donald Trump. Setting aside my judgment, I asked her why she backed someone known for misogyny and who was found guilty of sexual abuse.
“He’s not a friend to women,” I pointed out, referencing his role in overturning Roe v. Wade, the crucial U.S. Supreme Court decision that protected women’s abortion rights.
Just as many remember where they were when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, I clearly recall my reaction when Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022.
That morning at 7 am, I was in the kitchen making my son’s breakfast when I heard Trump’s unmistakable voice: “After 50 years of failure, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade, much to the shock of everyone.”
Returning to my dinner companion, the Trump supporter, she dismissed the allegations against him, believing he was smart about the economy.
“He listens to people, takes advice from solid advisors, and he’s fun to be around,” she claimed, insisting I’d enjoy meeting him. I wasn’t convinced.
It seems other women shared her views. Many thought Kamala Harris would be the first female U.S. president, believing she’d gain support from progressives and women voters. Yet, while American women “largely” favored Harris, it wasn’t enough for her to win.
The Democrats have lost two presidential elections with women on the ticket against Trump. It seems unlikely they’ll nominate another woman without a strong chance of winning.
Harris relied on women voters due to Roe v. Wade, making it a key point in her campaign. She was seen as a more relatable candidate than Hillary Clinton, who struggled to connect with many women during her 2016 run.
Clinton’s remark in 1992, “I could have stayed home, baked cookies, and had teas,” alienated many voters who felt she mocked stay-at-home mothers.
In contrast, Harris appeared warm and charismatic, but ultimately, only half of her supporters were women. Trump still received 43% of the female vote, attracting traditional Democratic voters, including Latinos.
Who were these women supporting Trump? Didn’t they hear about E. Jean Carroll, who sued Trump in May 2023 and won $5 million for a judgment of sexual abuse that occurred in 1996?
While the jury rejected her rape claim, Trump was held “responsible” for sexual abuse, a confusing verdict even for his attorneys. Carroll is just one of many women accusing Trump of sexual misconduct, charges he denies.
The 2024 American presidential election may challenge our assumptions about voting patterns. Not all women voted for a female candidate: suburban women with traditional values and affluent women supported Trump, even as he made derogatory comments about migrants.
I’ve met other female Trump supporters whose demographics surprised me. They weren’t the stereotypical supporters; many lived in upscale areas, owning multiple homes. Their main concern was preserving their wealth, minimizing taxes, and benefiting from tax cuts for businesses.
One former female banker told me, “It’s about the economy, stupid,” quoting political strategist James Carville. I countered, asking how Trump’s six bankruptcies made him a good businessman. She didn’t respond.
Sarah Chamberlain, CEO of Republican Mainstream Partnerships, said, “I believe women’s health care is very important, but many voters prioritized the economy. Harris was not seen as the best candidate.”
Older women I spoke with bluntly stated, “I still don’t think a woman can run the country.” One younger woman echoed, “A woman in the White House just isn’t right. I still believe Trump will be a better leader.”
This reality is disheartening, but what can we learn from Harris’s defeat? Twice in eight years, a woman has failed to break the 248-year-old glass ceiling of the U.S. presidency. The Democrats have lost two elections with women candidates against Trump, making it unlikely they will nominate another unless she’s a sure winner in 2028.
I believe if Harris had distanced herself from Biden and had more time without his controversial legacy, she could have improved her chances, at least in the popular vote, which Trump won this time but lost in 2016.
Ultimately, Americans need to work towards breaking that glass ceiling. We must support female politicians, identify and mentor young leaders. When votes are cast based on a candidate’s qualifications rather than gender, we will know we have succeeded, but we still have a long way to go.
