Donald Trump's Most Controversial Quotes About Women Examined
As International Women's Day approaches, a detailed examination of Donald Trump's most impactful and contentious statements about women reveals a pattern spanning three decades. The former President's remarks, drawn from interviews, social media, and witness accounts, have consistently sparked controversy and debate regarding his views on gender.
A History of Objectifying Commentary
A notable feature of Trump's public commentary is his frequent connection of women's physical appearance to their societal worth. In 2012, he targeted Arianna Huffington, founder of HuffPost, writing she was "unattractive both inside and out" and adding, "I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man - he made a good decision." Two years later, in an interview, he bluntly stated that appearance directly influences professional capabilities, saying, "We could say, politically correct, that the look doesn't matter, but the look obviously matters. Like you wouldn't have your job if you weren't beautiful."
That same year, when asked about Kim Kardashian's physique, Trump responded, "Well, absolutely. It's record-setting. In the old days, they'd say she has a bad body." By 2025, his focus shifted to journalists, such as when he called The New York Times' Katie Rogers "a third-rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out" and told Catherine Lucey, who questioned him about the Epstein Files, "Quiet. Quiet, piggy."
Personal and Professional Critiques
Women who worked with Trump before his presidency have condemned his conduct. Former construction executive Barbara Res noted that during her tenure at the Trump Organization, he demanded a particular appearance, wanting "the people in that room to think that all the women who worked for him were beautiful." She also recalled a personal critique when she gained weight, with Trump allegedly remarking, "You like your candy."
In a 2005 conversation with Howard Stern, Trump described his access to changing rooms at pageant competitions he owned, saying, "No men are anywhere, and I'm allowed to go in, because I'm the owner of the pageant and therefore I'm inspecting it... 'Is everyone OK?' You know, they're standing there with no clothes... and so I sort of get away with things like that."
Infamous Recordings and Romantic Objectifications
The most significant incident remains a 2005 Access Hollywood recording where Trump said, "I've got to use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her. You know I'm automatically attracted to beautiful - I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything... Grab them by the pus**. You can do anything."
His remarks extended to public figures like Princess Diana, whom he described in his 1997 book The Art of the Comeback as the "ultimate trophy wife" and his sole "regret in the women department" for not pursuing her. Weeks after her death, when Howard Stern asked if he could have slept with her, Trump responded, "I think I could have." In 2004, commenting on Lindsay Lohan, then about 18, Trump said, "What do you think of Lindsay Lohan? She's probably deeply troubled, and therefore great in bed. How come the deeply troubled women - deeply, deeply troubled - they're always the best in bed?"
Even his then-girlfriend, Melania, faced objectifying remarks. In 2005, when asked if he'd stay with her if she were disfigured in a car accident, he responded, "How do the breasts look?"
Allegations and Political Attacks
While many statements are viewed as misogynistic, most are not criminal offences. However, several women have brought formal allegations against Trump. In 1990, his ex-wife Ivana Trump referred to an incident during their marriage as "rape" in a divorce deposition, though she later clarified it was not meant "in a literal or criminal sense." Jessica Leeds, a former stockbroker, accused him of sexual assault from 1979, which Trump dismissed in 2024 by saying "she would not have been the chosen one."
As revealed in Bob Woodward's book Fear, Trump's private advice on such accusations was, "You've got to deny, deny, deny and push back on these women. If you admit to anything and any culpability, then you're dead." His political adversaries were also targeted; in 2024, while campaigning against Kamala Harris, he asked voters, "Do you want to lose your life savings because we put a weak and foolish woman in the White House?"
Claims of Being a Protector
Despite this history, Trump has positioned himself as a "protector" of women. In 2020, he said, "I saved your suburbs - women, suburban women, you're supposed to love Trump!" In 2024, he added, "I think women like me because I will be your protector. The women want protection." This contrast highlights the ongoing debate over his legacy and impact on gender discourse as International Women's Day prompts reflection on such statements.
