With seven months remaining until the November presidential election, Donald Trump and Joe Biden are neck-and-neck in the polls, highlighting the importance of securing every vote. However, Trump may be hindering his chances due to his standing with women voters. Polls indicate a decline in the proportion of women planning to vote for Trump compared to the 2020 election, creating a significant gap in support between Biden and Trump among women. Experts believe that Trump’s views on abortion and his legal issues involving women will impact voter behavior on election day, potentially affecting the outcome.
In the 2020 election, Trump’s vote share among women improved from 2016, rising from 39 percent to 44 percent, while Biden secured 55 percent of the vote. However, recent polls show that Trump’s support among women is declining, with Biden leading by a notable margin. The gender divide in American politics is widening, with men leaning conservative and women leaning liberal. The political gender gap is expected to increase, partly due to the abortion debate gripping the nation after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Trump’s stance on abortion, endorsing states’ rights in limiting abortion access, has sparked backlash and further alienated women voters.
Trump’s aggressive and controversial style, combined with his legal troubles involving women, is driving away female voters. A UK-based politics professor noted that Trump’s demeanor and behavior are unappealing to many women, especially outside his core supporter base. Trump’s dismissal of abortion rights, along with his courtroom battles against women alleging misconduct, has eroded his support among female voters. His history of making derogatory comments about women, combined with multiple accusations of sexual assault, further undermines his appeal to women voters.
The recent court cases and ongoing legal battles add another layer to Trump’s struggle to court female voters. His involvement in high-profile cases, such as the defamation lawsuit filed by journalist E. Jean Carroll and the hush money trial related to alleged affairs with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, contribute to his negative perception among women. Trump’s track record of denying allegations and his controversial statements captured in the Access Hollywood tape continue to haunt his reputation with female voters. Biden, on the other hand, aligns himself with progressive female causes and supports women’s reproductive rights, which has contributed to his strong polling among women.
Experts agree that the abortion debate has heightened women’s focus on Trump’s stance, further diminishing his appeal. The Dobbs decision has made reproductive rights a prominent issue, challenging Trump’s attempts to evade his past endorsements of restricting women’s rights. Trump’s failure to distance himself from anti-choice movements and his history of controversial actions have created obstacles in securing the support of women voters. As the election approaches, Trump’s challenges with gaining female support are becoming more evident, potentially impacting the outcome on November 5th. The shift in women’s views toward Trump highlights the significance of key issues like abortion rights in shaping voter behavior and political outcomes.
