The campaign targeted young men, aged 18 to mid-thirties, who felt left behind by societal changes, such as women out-earning men and gaining more college degrees. These men felt that Me Too was an overreach and wanted to feel in control of their lives, grievances the Trump campaign addressed.
The campaign bypassed traditional media and went directly to influencers popular with young men, such as those covering gaming or sports. This strategy aimed to tap into the non-political bro vote by engaging them through familiar, non-political channels.
The campaign's bro-centric approach and misogynistic tone left many women feeling disenfranchised and disgusted. Some women responded by swearing off men, adopting a movement called 4B, which advocates for no heterosexual relationships, marriage, or childbearing.
The 4B movement, originating from South Korea, calls for women to boycott men through no heterosexual marriage, dating, sex, or childbearing. It emerged as a response to intense beauty standards and gender-motivated crimes in South Korea, expressing women's frustration with being treated as objects and childbearing vessels.
In the U.S., the 4B movement is seen as both an expression of rage and a serious consideration for some women. It has garnered mixed reactions, including serious commitment, casual interest, and backlash from right-wing critics who mock or threaten the movement's participants.
An air of musky manliness settled over the 2024 presidential campaign and brought the bros to the polls. But a second Trump term has some women swearing off men — forever.
This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast)
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President-elect Donald Trump at a UFC fight in Las Vegas. Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.
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