In today’s political climate, aggressive language and disrespectful names have become commonplace. But are we pushing the boundaries too far?

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are intensifying their campaigns, appearing jointly with prominent supporters as they present their cases for the presidency.

Recently, President Joe Biden faced backlash after making a comment that some interpreted as criticizing Trump’s supporters as “garbage.” Likewise, Trump’s event at Madison Square Garden in New York drew criticism for hateful remarks.

Among the inflammatory figures making headlines again is Tucker Carlson, who previously hosted a show on Fox News. Carlson, now campaigning for Trump, recently made headlines at a rally in Georgia, where he compared Trump to a father returning home to discipline his wayward teenage daughter, referring to the nation.

Carlson stated, “He’s not vengeful. He loves his children, even if they are disobedient.” He continued, “When dad gets home, he says: ‘You’ve been naughty, and now you’re going to get a vigorous spanking.’”

Following Carlson’s remarks on October 23, late-night comedians mocked him, and many women on social media expressed their disapproval. Just a few days later, he appeared alongside Trump at Madison Square Garden and they are set to join forces again in Arizona for a live event.

Given the tone of this election, Carlson’s ability to remain a relevant figure is not surprising, says Leora Tanenbaum, the author of the upcoming book “Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up For Yourself in Today’s Toxic, Sexist Culture.” Still, she emphasizes that this type of rhetoric on the campaign trail influences how girls and women perceive themselves and their place in society. Regardless of the election outcome, Tanenbaum argues that it is crucial to take note of these developments.

The impact of Tucker Carlson’s spanking metaphor

Carlson remarked, “There has to be a point at which dad comes home,” prompting cheers from the audience before elaborating on his metaphor. “It’s going to hurt you more than me, and you deserve this. A vigorous spanking is in order because you have been a bad girl.”

Carlson’s statements quickly attracted criticism. One user on X commented, “Does anyone else find this incredibly disturbing?” Another added, “It’s all about control. Think about your daughters when voting.”

The gender-specific nature of these comments, along with Carlson’s ongoing role in the Trump campaign, conveys a significant message throughout the nation—especially to women and girls.

“Even if he spoke metaphorically, his words legitimize violence against girls,” Tanenbaum points out. “Such language can be frightening and has real-life consequences.”

Tanenbaum suggests that Carlson’s remarks should be less shocking given that Trump has faced jury findings of sexual abuse and has used derogatory language towards women, notably on the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape.

“It is not surprising that Carlson was tasked with warming up the crowd,” Tanenbaum asserts. “These rallies also see T-shirts labeling Vice President Kamala Harris in derogatory terms as hot sellers.”

Joe Biden’s ‘garbage’ remark and the misogynistic attacks on Kamala Harris

The divisive rhetoric isn’t limited to Republicans; Biden has faced criticism for a comment perceived as calling a portion of Trump supporters “garbage.”

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, shared on social media, “He just called half the country garbage. Unacceptable.” Similarly, one social media user interpreted Biden’s comments as an insult to a significant portion of the nation.

Later that evening, Biden clarified on X that he was addressing “the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico built by Trump’s supporter,” comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. He continued, “His degradation of Latinos is inexcusable. That was all I meant to imply. The sentiments expressed at that rally do not reflect our nation’s values.”

Throughout the campaign, Harris has faced numerous sexist attacks. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly accused Harris of “slept her way” into politics, while another commentator referred to her as the “original Hawk Tuah girl,” drawing significant backlash.

Experts in women’s and gender studies warn that sexist language can negatively affect women across the political spectrum.

“The higher the stakes in politics, the lower some may stoop to undermine a female candidate,” states Juliet Williams, a gender studies professor at UCLA, as previously reported to YSL News.

According to Williams, attacks against Harris convey a harmful message to women, implying that to participate in public life, they must accept derogatory treatment. Furthermore, studies indicate that such remarks reinforce harmful stereotypes and deter young women from aiming for leadership positions.

Tanenbaum believes that how we discuss women extends beyond politics. She emphasizes the importance of condemning gendered and sexist language, regardless of one’s political beliefs or the source of such comments: “It’s vital for decent individuals to vocally reject these remarks, not just as Election Day approaches, but beyond that.”