As Women Outpace Men in Early Voting, Trump’s Struggle to Win Over Female Voters Intensifies
When Alex Cooper, the podcast host behind Call Her Daddy, released her much-anticipated interview with Kamala Harris, she revealed she’d also invited Donald Trump for a conversation about women’s rights. “If he wants to discuss women’s rights in depth, he’s welcome on Call Her Daddy anytime,” Cooper told her predominantly female audience. While Trump’s team received the offer, they chose not to pursue it. Instead, Trump focused on reaching young men through right-leaning, male-centric platforms, steering clear of outlets tailored to female audiences. As Election Day looms, this strategy has drawn scrutiny, especially as women turn out in greater numbers than men in early voting.
Trump’s advisers initially argued his strong appeal to male voters would offset limited support from women. However, the growing gender gap has become a concern among Republicans. One GOP operative noted, “The problem with women is widespread for Republicans, and it starts at the top.” Trump’s uncertain approach to courting female voters became apparent when he recently ignored staff advice to stop referring to himself as women’s “protector.” At a rally, he insisted on protecting women “whether they like it or not,” remarks that quickly became fodder for Harris’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Harris has capitalized on Trump’s missteps. Her campaign highlighted his anti-abortion stance in a viral video and called him out for suggesting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would handle “women’s health” in a Trump administration. Trump’s appeal to women appears to resonate mainly at his rallies; nationally, he trails Harris by 14 points among likely female voters, according to an ABC News/Ipsos poll.
Trump’s challenges are exacerbated by early voting trends. In battleground states, women have cast 55% of ballots compared to men’s 45%, a 10-point gap that raises concerns among Trump’s allies. “If men stay at home, Kamala is president,” conservative activist Charlie Kirk warned on social media.
The Trump campaign has tried to address these issues by promoting his economic and safety policies. However, Harris’s candidacy as the Democratic nominee has energized many female voters, making Trump’s task more challenging. In an attempt to engage women, his campaign organized a “women’s tour” featuring prominent female allies. But the race remains difficult, as Trump’s history of divisive rhetoric on issues like abortion has alienated many women.
Trump’s campaign has also relied on allies like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reach health-conscious mothers and skeptical female voters, though results have been mixed. College-educated women began moving away from Trump during his first term, and the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, which he celebrated, has further fueled opposition. Despite efforts to moderate his abortion stance, including distancing himself from strict state laws, polling indicates he continues to struggle with female voters.
Trump’s refusal to expand his media appearances beyond male-dominated spaces like The Joe Rogan Experience and channels led by online influencers contrasts with Harris’s focus on broad-reaching platforms like Call Her Daddy. His decision to avoid such opportunities may have strengthened Harris’s position. On the podcast, Harris warned about potential rollbacks on reproductive rights, noting, “The fight for reproductive freedom is about the fundamental right to control your own body.”
So far, Trump’s reluctance to engage with female-centered media stands in contrast to Harris’s outreach. This strategy has made it difficult to attract female voters, a crucial demographic, with only days remaining until the election.
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