I have a theory after being in contact with Trump-voting White women for nine years. I have divided them into four categories. This is not at all scientific, and there are likely more categories, but I can only give you the narratives of the women I know… open.substack.com/pub/jesspipe...
They are outright f****** stupid. And they have nothing intelligent to say
Good, Jess, but you forgot the JPMB...the Just Plain Mean Bitches. ;-)
I liked the essay. Your writing is very relatable & that's a key detail in successful writing. We, the USA, have a generational problem (at least) where too many are detached from engagement about how democracy works & even what common welfare is. Your article illustrates some of why that happened.
Fake blonde female Real Estate sales people think he's a god. They are also the lowest of the low on the ethics grading scale. They are so afraid of losing a sale in this economy that they'll do just about anything and lie constantly to make a buck. Nails and hair shoppes don't come cheap.
They are all useless
More than interesting. The true believers can never change or be expected not to vote. The rich will be difficult to move except for a rich Democrat who is a business person. The "pick me's" only vote for men so they liked Obama and Bill Clinton.
My sister is in the second group, sadly. Converted to to an evangelical church about 20 years ago and everything now is about prayer, the Bible, etc. And when I say Bible, it’s Old Testament quotes, nothing from Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament on kindness, forgiveness, etc.
I only see one category for Trump Women, STUPID!
I’ve been doing a lot of reading on deconstructing white supremacy and its intimate overlap with misogyny. Descendants of the confederacy (tangible and spiritual) are so committed to a hierarchical worldview that it doesn’t even occur to them to question the idea of their own inferior class status.
The indoctrinated - right now a bulk of them believe children dying in Gaza from Israel actions and starvation are not worthy of a life that should be saved So they’re pro life really is all about white children - they will never admit it but that’s what they believe inside
I so resonate with this: "I am angry at my inability to change the minds and hearts of former friends and current family members. I am sick. I am sorry."
Ira Levin, line one!
Everything I know about women who voted for Trump squares with what you outlined. I don't see a way to flip any of these women in significant numbers, do you?
Excellent read Jess, lots of good info!👍
The kings justification is very accurate. When I described the president as a predator and being held up as some kind of false prophet, it was justified by Trump voting family members with the statement “kings were sinful too”.
Like a plague, white women are as confused as white boys. Somewhere over the Rainbow, there's a land that I heard of where women will embrace each other for their accomplishments. Realize our collective intellectual prowess is formidable and more important than our beauty or last name.
Old Boomer broad chiming in...all the female voters for tsf I kow fall into one of those categories (and I know way too many!) Good job
I believe you’ve covered them all here - and I’m ashamed.
Although not scientific I have found racism and fear to be central to the vote. They have no interest in anyone other than people like themselves
The "pick me" ones are the ones that turn my stomach the most. Have a little self-respect, for goodness sake.
Such a great breakdown! My experience reflects these same four groups and the same difficulties reaching them.
It must be so damn frustrating to see these women everyday knowing that you can't do a thing to change their mind.
Such a thoughtful article. TY. I appreciate your immersing yourself in such depressing data for the sake of what we can learn from it. Yuch, but must be acknowledged since ignorance about ignorance is no help.
"Not all Trump supporters are racists. Some are just OK with racism."- John Fugelsang We can add misogyny & Islamophobia to racism.
Being ok with racism is no better than being racist. Just saying.
And historically, the ones who were just OK with racism made it easier to fool Republicans who did care, who really were anti-racist.
No better, sure, but indifferent to it is different from desiring it. Neighbors can much more easily pass themselves off as "decent," or "nice," if they don't reflexively say racist things, if they can function with civility where the racist cannot. It's easier for MAGA to Not Appear to be the Klan
There is much truth in your article. Depressingly so. I have wondered about the appeal since he won the nomination. Hitler, Stalin, etc, I couldn't understand why people would worship, vote for, cheer for the destruction of their country and people. I no longer wonder, I have seen it in real time.
🤔🤔🤔 agree
All the Trump voting white women I've ever met share one quality (and I use the word "quality" loosely); none of them want to take full responsibility for themselves as an adult American. I'm not saying they are all golddiggers, but every one that I've ever met is golddigger-adjacent.
The whole movement is deeply immature. They blame others for their own flaws and mistakes, they desperately want someone bigger and stronger to do their fighting for them, and indulging one’s most base instincts are celebrated. It’s a poorly socialized mass of emotionally stunted mediocrity.
Love the definition of " poorly socialized mass of emotionally stunted mediocrity." Parents who didn't encourage them to read, schools who let them graduate despite their ignorance, a society focused on a shallow value system. This is the result. These women are oblivious to have lost their rights.
You nailed it.
Their self image cannot stand to touch the reality of their values empowered by the state. They think they’re good people but point out the things Trump does and They almost universally say these are bad things but they can’t make the connection. They’re just really fucking shitty humans.
Yep it’s self-soothing like alcohol or another mind-altering substance used to escape reality.
Two of my Trump-loving aunts only voted for Trump once, because they both died during his first term. It seems to me that they bought into every single outrage that Fox News came up with. "Women were whores for wanting to have access to birth control. Poor people were ripping off the system for
buying a candy bar with food stamps. That they would be forced to learn Spanish. Teachers were greedy for wanting to be paid a living wage. Etcetera." Both of them were also very religious. Both of their last words on FB were defending Donald Trump. He could do no wrong in their eyes.
I’d say the groups have more to do with narcissism, subjugation, ignorance and survival. I think their stated reasons for voting MAGA just tells you which group they belong. The reason itself is always contradictory and nonsensical but can help decipher who you’re dealing with to effect a strategy
There are women who truly do not believe nor do they want to be considered "equal" to men. They are offended by Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris who stand up for women b/c they don't want women to be considered at the same level as a man.
Those track with the women I’ve talked to.
thanks for writing this. It explains so much. I grew up working class, and I know some of these folks too, I just don't see any way to get them off that trump train. It's sure as shit not helping them AT ALL.
The first skank. Praise invisible sky 💩! Amerikkka!
I've literally watched very many intelligent women I know do this. And who are generally socially to the left but then when they're with these terrible guys for their money move to the right to please them.
Melanoma is also a disgusting scumbag
Republican mantra regarding all women.. even Margie three toes has figured it out
White privilege has a way of shielding many white people from the reality and damage of their choices.
I just think there’s something in the hair bleach rotting away their brains…
Agree with the ‘the last three categories also ven with stupidity’. So many stupid/intellectually lazy voters sit on abortion and use that to not have to pay attention to actual complexities of governance and a healthy civil society.
Interesting read. I think fear and insecurity in the face of cultural changes is a huge factor regardless of gender. I do wish the anti-abortion voters would understand that making it illegal does not make it stop. Safe and legal is better for moms and babies.
Excellent perspective and a great read. Thank you 💙
good one, Jess. no matter what the category, a woman who settles for- or worse, revels in- being 'less than' any man is in danger. favor bestowed by another can be withdrawn without cause at any time. walking on eggshells, whether to the botox center or the brood nursery, is very painful indeed.
Thanks for that
Girl, you got that right. The pic me women drive me bonkers the most, its always someone else's fault for everything in their lives.
Sister jess piper please I want to tok with you please 🙏 😭
The "Pick Me" is strong with those bitches.
Excellent and informative. Trump in office again is an unspeakable tragedy, but sometimes I think it had to happen if we are ever to break his cult. So painful.
I used to work for a job training agency. There is a category I can give you: the "actively ignorant" those are the ones who are ignorant and refuse to acknowledge new information unless it reaffirms something they already think.
Nailed it. Again.
The truth in this article…THANK YOU.
You hit the nail on the head.
This is a GREAT article. The “pick me’s” are the most vile and despicable but only in this context. I wouldn’t use it in any other. I actually do feel some sympathy for the others. I’m afraid they have endangered us beyond forgiveness though. Everybody needs to read this. #Pinks #ProudBlue
Thank you for sharing this, Annie!
💙💙💙
The white women that I know who voted for Trump did so because they are financially secure enough that they falsely think that nothing bad can happen to them or their families. They have been indoctrinated by right-wing emails from friends to vote for "family values" & "immigrant danger."
Well done.
Just rate them for flammability. That's all most of us care about.
I was hesitant to read this but you are spot on.
Well done. Thanks.
The abortion lie came about because Jimmy Carter, our one actual Christian president, took away the Segregation Academies tax exempt status and it pissed the misogynistic racists off to their high heaven.
While I agree with the history, I disagree with your comment that Carter was the only Christian president. Born again Christians are only one kind of Christian. Many of them claim that Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and mainline Protestants aren't Christians. IMHO, they are incorrect.
Great read. Your categories are spot on. 👌
Great writing. Honest, non judgemental & informative. Thanks Jess.
I don't know any. And I never will. They are lepers, all. #Unclean
My mother is in the Indoctrinated. I was in The Ignorant category. I’ll admit I voted for him the first time because I was young and didn’t really understand politics and the Facebook propaganda, Hillary was made out to be pure evil. I consider voting for him in 2016 one of my biggest regrets 1/
Though my one vote wouldn’t have made a difference in a red state. That was the last time I voted Republican and the last time I ever will. It didn’t take me long to realize my mistake after his inauguration. Never again. 2/2
They have hate in their hearts, without exception.
That was interesting as a former Missourian with Maga family. I moved to AZ.
IDGAF. They voted for a child raping Nazi. Period. They are despicable and should suffer the same consequences as anyone who abets child rape.
Well done Jess. Your theory in pretty right on..
As a white woman, I would sooner eat vomit than vote for an ignorant, cruel and disgusting man like trump. I don't get it!!!
Ditto as a white male.
🤮🤮🤮🤮
Probably a lot of overlap.
Good insight. But still mind boggling.
Spot-on. I know many of these women. They hate « my politics » and pray for me. I’ll accept any prayers, but assure them that those prayers won’t convince me to approve a narcissistic convicted rapist who lies and has bankrupted every business bearing his name.
How would you put racism in those buckets? Is that a sub-set of some, or a super-set (i.e. they're all racist)?
Exactly! There is also another group [subgroup] or maybe just falls into the 4th group. The RFKjr's. Anti-vax. Homeschool. Pro-natalists. Q. While many of these are evangelical beliefs, they are not all christians. The woo woo's.
I think they’re called crunchy moms and trad wives… Saw one family online where the dad is a golf instructor who is often absent because of his job while the mom is home with the 5 kids, cooking, cleaning, gardening, canning etc. Hubby is loving his life, she doesn’t seem to enjoy hers much, though.
FYI, I am one of those born to a hippie mom. She was NOT okay. One of my kids thinks he's the messiah and has tried to form his own cult many times. Maybe sober he would have done so much to change the world.
Sorry to hear your hippie mom was not okay. Is it correct to assume that means she had mental health issues? From your post it sounds like your son may be self-medicating instead of seeing a medical professional (eg.:psychiatrist) who could diagnose his issue & help him with real medication.
Even though they both are not okay, they both are full of love & empathy & caring for other ppl. Well, mom was, no longer here.
Correct on both. (MAGA is full of ppl w/MH issues that they don't take care of) My son also has a brain injury from birth although in 1984 they didn't understand. He went 4 mins with no oxygen & 1 min his heart stopped. He's brilliant so they kept saying no brain damage & not helping. Never been ok.
They are a part of that group. But some are single moms. Some work (Tik Tok/YouTube are jobs as well) This whole group is a group of kids/grandkids of GenX. Who are the kids of Boomer hippies. It seems at some point they crossed over from peace, inclusion, sharing & drugs to white supremacy/greed.
This tracks with what I've seen in my red state. Trump supporters overall seem to fit in those categories. The wealthy who only care about themselves, the extremist Christians, the people who think they are "one of the good ones", and the people who get all their news from facebook.
Insightful. Thanks
Supporting a fascist regime out of selfishness and/or stupidity. If they haven't given up on fascism by 2026... I don't want to think about where this all ends.🤪
Two women in my family are sort of a combination of well-off and ignorant, while my sister is just ignorant. They all voted for him 3 times. My sister has to work full time at age 64 and is taking care of her husband with stage 4 cancer who’s on SS and Medicare. I will never understand any of this.
They’re just colossally fucking stupid
Why do people stay in cults ? Why do Scientologists stay ? Brain washing and repeated propaganda work.
In Utah, I see a lot of the well off and especially the indoctrinated types.
So how to we break them out???
Intelligence has never been more attractive.
First....Women are always women's worst enemies. Secondly...there really is a cult. Third...Love to own the libs. If you are a married woman who wears Trump pajamas to bed, you are pretty fucked up.
Trump pjs.. damn you’ve added to my nightmares!
Reasonable classifications, and there can be overlap. The "pick-me" who think proximity to power means they are powerful - oof and yup. It's really hard to find the feelings they evoke in me, but betrayal comes to mind. Good read.
1 category - traitors to their own kind.
My mom is in category #4. With bonus content of narcissism, chronic illness, dependent on SocSec and Medicare. 👍🏼
Narcissism seems to be very common, with them thinking that they’ll be ok because they’re better and more deserving than others for whatever reasons (white, Christian, “legal” etc.)
I wouldn't say it is narcissism, but a failure or a refusal to think and going with what they're feeling. When you never move out of the blithe childhood assumption 'I don't have to worry, Mommy and Daddy take care of me. I'm safe." Just shallow people.
They look like the girls that used to hang out at the AC/DC concerts hoping they would be invited into the back room with one of the band members. +30- 40 years added on.
I wish we had a candidate like you, Jess. ☮️💙💔
Excellent! Living in the Deep South, I know and am related to most of these women (except the super rich ones.) My elderly mother sincerely believes the Bible says women & POC should never have power over white men. Many are steeped in hate, & I can't figure out why or where it came from. Sigh.
As someone that was married to an Indoctrinated until 2017, I think you have described them well and it breaks my heart.
For Trump voters, you are spot on. For women in general, many of us have learned it’s not a competition, and instead, we try to lift each other up.
'i want your baby' 40yrs ago ☠️ blonde
Brit here. An interesting insight. Is it that “ Pick Mes” age and become “Indoctrinated”
White Supremacy is beneficial to White Women.
White supremacy is propped up by misogyny. White (specifically Christian) women have been groomed to perpetuate the system
Agree. My sister is bright and well-educated. She has deferred to my BIL for decades. He is a verbally abusive, domineering bully who watches Fox news incessantly. While her principles are liberal, she votes Republican. I completely fail to understand why.
This was my life. I lived it. Until I decided I couldn't defer any longer. Then my husband tried to kill me. He went to jail, lost his engineering career. He killed himself 4 years later. I 100% believe it's a mental illness brought on by Fox brainwashing.😢
If that is true, why wouldn't she just fill out her ballot in the absence of her husband? Votes are private. That is unless he is abusive and domineering enough to insist on coming with the her to the polls and checking her vote to see if it aligns with his. Otherwise, she has no excuse to vote R.
You are welcome to chat with her 😊🧡 I have no idea!
Not accusing you of anything. I obviously have no idea how close you are to her, but I'd be curious to ask her why she feels compelled to vote that way if indeed her vote is private. Abused women are often afraid their partner will find things out that might make them angry. Perhaps that's why.
No, I think it’s just easier for her to be passive & follow his lead. She may vote Democrat for all I know (we barely discuss politics) but again, I have no idea.
Well, I hope she is safe. I sure wouldn't want to live that way. Take care of yourself and thanks for sharing!
Not really, the men rule them.
Sorry, but that’s a cop out.
My sister falls into the willfully ignorant group. She’s a strong woman but is a misogynist.She didn’t vaccinate my niece,worked 2 jobs to put her religious schools. She’s had 2 abortions,18 is an adult so go buy a semiautomatic, “ if you can prove climate change is real, I won’t believe it”. 🤷🏻
Some family/friends don’t have an education beyond high school, something I don’t care about, but they are VERY insecure about it. They’ve hopped on board the anti-science ship (FB education) and act like they know more than freaking PhDs and medical doctors. Very smug about it.
So disheartening. I know all these type of women and there is no way their thinking will change.
