Fifty women who currently serve in the U.S. Congress have written an open letter that accuses President Donald Trump of “derogation of women” in both his words and policies, according to HuffPost:
“The members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus cited some of Trump’s most troubling comments about women — including his hot-mic boast about sexual assault on the 2005 ‘Access Hollywood’ bus ride — before noting ‘it is most shameful that the words young girls and boys hear directed at women from the upper echelons of power are dripping with disdain and respect.'”
Considering the utter contempt Trump has repeatedly shown toward women — in particular strong women in positions of power — the letter could not be more timely, especially since recent polling data shows that the vast majority of American women say they don’t approve of the president.
The letter directly references things Trump has said and how he seems to delight in demeaning women:
“Beyond your public policy choices — stripping away women’s access to health care, undermining protections for survivors of sexual assault, reversing equal pay efforts and more — your words demonstrate a contempt for women who dare to do their jobs or speak truth to power which reflects poorly on you. It is as if you relish the opportunity to publicly humiliate any woman who fights back, speaks up, or takes up space.”
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) shared the letter on Twitter, along with a message directed at Trump:
.@HouseDemWomen just sent a letter to @POTUS condemning his denigration of women. It’s as if he relishes the opportunity to publicly humiliate any woman who fights back, speaks up or takes up space. Mr. President, you should not be the biggest bully on the playground! pic.twitter.com/HJVmOt2dci
— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) January 31, 2020
Speier was joined by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), who reminded Trump that “words matter”:
Words matter. The Occupant’s misogynistic rhetoric is equally as disturbing as the misogynistic, anti-women policies coming out of his administration on a daily basis. Joined my @HouseDemWomen colleagues to make sure he knows that we are here and we will not back down. https://t.co/bp2VRMBUlG
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) January 31, 2020
But it’s the last line of the letter that best expresses the impact Trump’s words have:
“Mr. President, instead of being the biggest bully on the playground, why don’t you set a moral example for our children?”
Exactly.
Featured Image Via YouTube Screenshot