The Opinions What Man's Man Politics Is Doing to America
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Mar 3, 2025 
Tressie McMillan Cottom, a renowned columnist for the New York Times and sociologist, dives into how Donald Trump's hyper-masculine image has captivated a diverse range of voters, including men of color. She discusses the societal implications of his rhetoric, the transactional nature of his politics on LGBTQ issues, and explores the competitive dynamics of masculinity in politics. Cottom reveals how Trump's brand of masculinity reshapes political landscapes and influences perceptions of male identity while pondering the future impact on American society.
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Gender Trumps Race
- Trump successfully rebranded core tenets of conservatism, surprisingly using gender-focused messaging.
- This messaging resonated across various demographics, proving more effective than race-based appeals.
Rebranding Masculinity
- Trump's success with gendered messaging stems from a lack of nuanced public discourse on gender compared to race.
- He rebrands negative masculine traits as positive, capitalizing on societal anxieties around gender roles.
The Economy and the Internet's Impact on Masculinity
- The intersection of economic instability and the internet created a vacuum for masculinity.
- Trump and Musk exploit this by offering a sense of community and belonging to men feeling economically and socially displaced.