As Donald Trump prepares for a second term, an insidious phrase has emerged with alarming frequency: “Your body, my choice.” This perverse twist on the feminist slogan “My body, my choice” was first popularized by far-right figures like white supremacist Nick Fuentes, who tweeted it on election night as a chilling proclamation of male dominance over women’s bodies. More than just words, this rephrased slogan represents a dangerous ideological shift—one with historical echoes that many would rather forget. For women, it’s a harbinger of an era where hard-won freedoms could be rolled back under the guise of “reclaiming” a distorted sense of order.
The Perverse Transformation of Feminist Slogans and the Rise of “Reclamation”
“My body, my choice” was a defining cry of the feminist movement, demanding that women have the fundamental right to make decisions over their own bodies. The phrase is rooted in feminist battles of the 1960s and ’70s when women fought not only for abortion rights but for broader bodily autonomy—rights that spanned from workplace equality to protections from sexual violence. The term encapsulated a vision of female empowerment in the face of systemic repression, serving as a slogan that resonated across movements and decades.
By co-opting it into “Your body, my choice,” misogynist groups have warped its meaning, turning autonomy into a twisted justification for control and submission. This shift follows a pattern that history knows well, one in which reactionary ideologies attempt to “reclaim” and “reorder” society by stripping marginalized groups of the freedoms they have gained. From the resurgence of white supremacist rhetoric to a disturbing increase in misogynistic content online, the new iteration of Trump’s base has constructed a fantasy of “cultural reclamation” that is fundamentally about pushing women, and often other marginalized groups, back into positions of submission.
Trump’s Mugshot, credit to Fulton County Sherif’s Department.
Parallels with Totalitarianism: Dangerous Echoes of Nazi Ideology
Historically, totalitarian regimes have relied on similar strategies—using propaganda to “reclaim” societal values in a way that justifies repression. In Nazi Germany, for example, fascist ideology promoted strict gender roles and family structures under the guise of protecting “traditional values” and national pride. The Nazi Party celebrated the role of the German woman as the obedient housewife and mother, discouraging women from working outside the home and barring them from political life. As men enlisted for war, women were both idealized as the “nurturers of the nation” and simultaneously controlled, forced to relinquish autonomy for the “greater good” of German nationalism.
Today, this historical pattern of restricting women’s autonomy under the veil of tradition or “national pride” seems to be resurfacing in Trump’s America. The manosphere—a network of hyper-masculine, far-right influencers and forums—pushes a narrative that blames modern problems on feminist movements. Like the Nazi Party’s obsession with purity, these groups demand a return to “traditional values,” which translates to stripping away women’s agency and controlling their roles in society. The fact that this reactionary agenda is finding public acceptance—and even celebration—is a chilling echo of totalitarian strategies used throughout history to consolidate control.
The Role of Social Media Influencers in Mainstreaming Misogyny
In the digital age, the political climate increasingly intersects with the online world, where influencers play a pivotal role in shaping narratives. Studies1 reveal that the majority of mainstream political content creators skew toward right-leaning ideologies, with figures like Andrew Tate and Adin Ross commanding massive followings. Their platforms frequently blend entertainment with conservative, hyper-masculine rhetoric, subtly or overtly reinforcing regressive gender norms. In contrast, left-leaning creators such as Hasan Piker represent a smaller fraction of the landscape, working to challenge these narratives but often struggling to achieve the same viral reach. This imbalance amplifies the manosphere’s influence, enabling far-right ideals to penetrate broader audiences. The prevalence of influencers on platforms like TikTok and YouTube not only reflects the cultural push toward reclaiming male dominance but also normalizes it, particularly among younger, impressionable viewers. When controversial figures dominate algorithms, their content risks being consumed as default entertainment, weaving misogyny seamlessly into the cultural fabric.
Additional Content: Fashion as a Reflection of Political Power and Control
Historically, women’s fashion has served as both a reflection of societal norms and a means of resistance. Political climates have often dictated what women wear, turning clothing into a symbol of autonomy—or lack thereof. For example, during times of conservative backlash, fashion trends frequently lean toward modesty, reinforcing patriarchal values of control and submission. Conversely, progressive eras have often embraced bold, avant-garde styles that defy traditional gender norms.
Consider the 1920s flapper movement, where shorter hemlines and looser silhouettes became statements of rebellion against Victorian ideals and male-dominated social expectations. Similarly, the 1960s and 1970s brought about the mini-skirt, bell-bottoms, and free-spirited, boundary-pushing fashion as women’s liberation gained momentum. These styles weren’t just trends; they were acts of defiance, tied to broader demands for equality and personal freedom.
Fast forward to today, and the resurgence of anti-feminist rhetoric such as “Your body, my choice” could similarly shape the way women dress. Already, we’re seeing echoes of this dynamic in conservative political spheres where certain dress codes are imposed as a means of reinforcing traditional gender roles. If history is any guide, the political ideology of the moment has the power to dictate which aspects of women’s fashion are celebrated and which are censured.
On the other hand, in defiance of regressive trends, modern women are also using fashion as a form of resistance. Brands and individual creators are reclaiming clothing as a tool for empowerment, designing bold pieces that challenge traditional norms. From the rise of gender-neutral clothing to the popularity of slogan-based attire that promotes feminist ideals, the fashion industry reflects the ongoing battle between progress and backlash.
Audre Lorde in 1983. Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images
The Intersection of Misogyny and Power: How Trump’s Re-election Fuels This Narrative
With Trump’s election, the narrative that masculinity is under siege found its political champion. His administration’s dismissal of women’s rights, coupled with his own well-documented history of sexual misconduct allegations, has sent a clear signal to his followers: women’s autonomy is negotiable. Trump’s base of disaffected young men has been vocal in their support for a leader who doesn’t hold back in his attacks on “political correctness” and “woke feminism.” The call for “reclaiming” America under Trump thus becomes not only a political statement but a social endorsement of regressive ideals where male dominance is prioritized over female autonomy.
The current trend is particularly dangerous in its subversion of language. Misogynistic actors like Fuentes are skillfully repurposing feminist slogans to turn them into expressions of oppression. This reclamation of language has a history rooted in totalitarian regimes, where manipulation of language was used to obscure truth and reframe values. In Nazi Germany, for instance, slogans like “Strength through Unity” promoted submission to the state, while the phrase “Final Solution” euphemistically concealed atrocities. Today, “Your body, my choice” works similarly, repackaging violent entitlement as cultural reclamation, all while aiming to erode women’s rights under the guise of reclaiming society.
The Psychological Toll and Collective Trauma of a Nation Regressing
This escalation in misogynistic rhetoric has a profound psychological impact on women, particularly young girls, who are now confronted with explicit threats of domination in both public and private spaces. Social scientists and psychologists alike have studied the effects of living under constant threat, and the evidence is clear: exposure to hostile environments—whether online or in-person—leads to trauma, increased levels of anxiety, and a diminished sense of agency. In young women and girls, who are often still developing their sense of self and security, these repeated messages are internalized, undermining confidence and enforcing self-doubt.
A society where women are forced to navigate a culture of fear and intimidation is not a progressive one. As sociologist Erving Goffman’s work on stigma and social exclusion suggests, systematic disenfranchisement operates by creating “spoiled identities,” where groups are isolated and stripped of social legitimacy. This strategy of disenfranchisement is a core tactic of authoritarian systems; by excluding women from social power and threatening their bodily autonomy, misogynistic actors hope to relegate women to roles of submission and obedience.
The Cyclical Nature of Feminist Backlash: Trump’s America as a Historical Regression
Throughout history, feminist gains have often been met with backlash movements. In the United States, women’s right to vote was countered by organized campaigns to restrict women to the home; the advances of the 1960s feminist movement spurred the rise of conservative movements that sought to reestablish “family values” and reject feminist ideals. Trump’s re-election is the latest chapter in this cycle, one where traditionalists use reactionary rhetoric to roll back progress and restore “order.”
But the language today is darker than simple nostalgia. Just as authoritarian regimes in the past used cultural “reclamation” to suppress marginalized groups, Trump’s America is witnessing a campaign to reframe feminist ideals as hostile to society. The use of “Your body, my choice” as a taunt is no coincidence; it signifies a mindset that views autonomy not as a right, but as something to be weaponized. This rhetoric normalizes the idea that women’s autonomy is conditional, to be taken away when it no longer serves the interests of men.
Moving Forward: A Renewed Call to Protect Women’s Rights
The task before advocates of women’s rights is as challenging as it is urgent. As history shows, authoritarianism feeds off of silence and compliance, thriving in environments where resistance has been subdued. Women’s rights organizations and individuals alike must commit to countering this rhetoric, remembering that silence can act as complicity in times of social regression. Schools, social media platforms, and public institutions must establish zero-tolerance policies for harassment and hostility, and public education campaigns must work to dismantle the twisted narratives that reframe violence and intimidation as cultural reclamation.
For feminists today, “My body, my choice” is not just a slogan but a reaffirmation of a struggle that spans centuries. It is a call to resist regressive forces that would seek to impose submission, to confront the ideologies that threaten freedom and self-determination. This new wave of misogyny may aim to erase the gains of the past, but it also serves as a stark reminder of why the fight for equality remains as relevant as ever.
As societies worldwide have shown, authoritarianism has the potential to win battles, but rarely the war. We must challenge the twisted rhetoric, knowing that a society where some are forced into submission cannot claim true liberty.
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References:
- Sandra González-Bailón, Valeria d’Andrea, Deen Freelon, Manlio De Domenico, The advantage of the right in social media news sharing, PNAS Nexus, Volume 1, Issue 3, July 2022, pgac137, https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac137 ↩︎
