“Donald Trump vs. Strong Women: Why Assertive Ladies Give Him Nightmares”

Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA.
6 min readSep 11, 2024

by Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA and Vincent Perez-Mazzola

by Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA and Vincent Perez-Mazzola

Donald Trump and powerful women have always been a volatile mix. His condescending, often hostile attitude toward them isn’t a one-off occurrence; it’s practically a habit.

Whenever a woman dares to challenge him — whether in politics, journalism, or public life — Trump immediately goes on the offensive, armed with a barrage of derogatory nicknames and gendered insults. This behavior not only exposes Trump’s discomfort but also highlights a deeper issue: his fear of women who defy traditional gender roles and refuse to back down.

As the 2024 election approaches, with Vice President Kamala Harris as a leading figure, Trump’s uneasy relationship with strong women is again under the spotlight. His past behavior makes it clear that, for Trump, powerful women represent something more threatening than political opponents — they symbolize a challenge to the patriarchal worldview he clings to.

A Long History of Fear and Loathing

Donald Trump’s history with strong women is peppered with verbal attacks, often dripping with disdain and condescension. Take Hillary Clinton, for example. Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump rarely focused on her policies; instead, he resorted to mocking her stamina, labeling her “Crooked Hillary,” and making thinly veiled jabs at her appearance. It was clear from the start that Clinton’s mere presence in the race — daring to go toe-to-toe with him — triggered something deeper. Her ambition and assertiveness didn’t just annoy Trump; they seemed to shake him to his core.

But Hillary isn’t the only one who’s felt the wrath of Trump’s disdain for assertive women. Let’s talk about Elizabeth Warren, another high-profile female politician who’s gotten under Trump’s skin. His infamous nickname for her — “Pocahontas” — was not just a cheap shot at her heritage but also a tactic to diminish her credibility. Rather than engaging with Warren’s policy proposals or debating her on substantive issues, Trump chose to reduce her to a stereotype, a classic move designed to undermine her authority.

And what about Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi? The highest-ranking woman in the U.S. government has had her share of Trump’s insults, too. From calling her “crazy Nancy” to dismissing her as “incompetent,” Trump’s attacks reveal his inability to handle Pelosi’s assertive leadership style. At one point, when Pelosi questioned Trump’s grasp on reality, he shot back with, “She’s a mess.” Once again, he resorted to personal attacks rather than confronting the critique directly.

These aren’t isolated incidents — they form a pattern. For Trump, a woman who challenges him isn’t just an opponent; she’s a personal affront. And as we approach the next presidential election, with Kamala Harris in the ring, Trump’s familiar tactics will likely resurface. The stakes are high, and so are the odds that he’ll continue to use the same tired playbook.

Weaponizing Gender Stereotypes: The Classic Trump Move

Trump’s attacks on women go beyond the usual political mudslinging. His favorite strategy? Weaponizing gender stereotypes to discredit assertive women. Whether he’s calling them “nasty,” “mean,” or “crazy,” Trump taps into age-old biases that dictate how women are “supposed” to behave. According to these stereotypes, women should be polite, respectful, and passive — anything outside this mold is seen as inappropriate or threatening.

Take Kamala Harris, for example. Trump’s favorite nickname for her? “Nasty.” It’s a label he’s used repeatedly, not just for Harris, but for countless women who have dared to confront him. The subtext is clear: any woman who refuses to be compliant or who challenges his authority is “nasty.” It’s not just a random insult; it’s a gendered one designed to tap into societal expectations about how women should behave, especially toward men.

The same tactic was fully displayed during Trump’s clash with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. When Whitmer implemented strict lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump didn’t substantively engage with her policy decisions. Instead, he labeled her a “dictator” and encouraged protests against her leadership, knowing full well that his base would latch onto the idea of an “overreaching” woman in power. It wasn’t just about the pandemic — it was about reinforcing the stereotype of the “hysterical” woman who can’t handle authority responsibly.

Even when Trump sparred with journalists like Megyn Kelly, his attacks had the same underlying theme. After a heated exchange during a 2015 GOP debate, Trump remarked that Kelly had “blood coming out of her wherever,” a crude reference meant to reduce her credibility by invoking outdated ideas about female emotion and irrationality. Rather than addressing her tough questions, Trump’s immediate reaction was to undermine her by implying that her gender made her unstable.

The message in all these examples is the same: assertive, outspoken women aren’t playing by Trump’s rules. And for a man whose persona is built around dominance and control, that’s not just annoying — it’s threatening.

The Double Standard: Assertive Men vs. “Nasty” Women

Trump’s attacks on women are rooted in a broader double standard that women in leadership face every day. Qualities like assertiveness, confidence, and ambition are lauded in men but criticized in women. When Trump lashes out at female politicians, journalists, or leaders, he’s reinforcing this toxic double standard. A man who stands his ground is seen as strong; a woman who does the same is branded as “shrill” or “unlikable.”

Think about it: when was the last time Trump called a male politician “nasty”? You’ll be hard-pressed to find an example. His harshest insults — those meant to question a person’s character rather than their politics — are overwhelmingly reserved for women.

Consider Trump’s famous feud with Senator Kamala Harris. After the 2020 vice-presidential debate, he quickly labeled her “nasty” and dismissed her as “horrible.” What did she do to deserve such vitriol? She was assertive. She was confident. She didn’t back down. And, to Trump, that’s precisely the problem. Harris represents the kind of woman who doesn’t fit the mold of politeness and deference that he expects from women.

The same dynamic was at play during Trump’s attacks on Hillary Clinton. Clinton’s ambition to become president — something entirely normal for any male candidate — was portrayed as unseemly and unnatural. Trump played on the idea that Clinton’s desire for power was somehow unfeminine, reinforcing the idea that leadership is a man’s game and women who enter it are stepping out of line.

Why It Matters: The Long-Term Impact

Trump’s treatment of women in power isn’t just about personal insults — it’s about shaping public perception. By continually attacking women for being assertive, ambitious, or confident, he perpetuates harmful stereotypes that keep women from reaching their full potential. In Trump’s world, a strong woman is an aberration, and his insults serve as a reminder that women are supposed to stay in their place.

This kind of rhetoric has far-reaching consequences. It discourages women from seeking leadership roles in politics, business, or any other field. The fear of being labeled “nasty” or “shrill” can be enough to make women second-guess themselves or shy away from the spotlight altogether. And that’s precisely the point: Trump’s attacks aren’t just about defending his ego — they’re about maintaining a societal structure that benefits men like him.

The impact of this behavior isn’t limited to the women he targets directly. It reinforces the cultural narrative that women must be polite, agreeable, and respectful if they want to succeed. For young women watching these interactions unfold, the message is clear: don’t be too assertive or too confident, or you’ll be labeled and dismissed.

Final Thoughts: Why Trump Should Fear Women More Than They Fear Him

Donald Trump’s fear of strong women says more about him than it does about the women he targets. His reliance on gendered insults and stereotypes reflects his discomfort with the changing dynamics of power in society. As more women rise to positions of authority, Trump’s tactics are starting to look not only outdated but downright desperate.

Ultimately, Trump’s fear of powerful women isn’t a sign of strength — it’s a sign of weakness. It shows he knows the old ways of keeping women in check are slipping away. And as more women challenge him — and win — the more Trump’s discomfort becomes a symbol of progress. So, as the 2024 election looms, one thing is sure: women aren’t going anywhere, and Trump’s old tricks won’t work forever.

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Lauro Amezcua-Patino, MD, FAPA.

Dr. Lauro Amezcua-Patiño: Bilingual psychiatrist, podcaster, clinical leader, educator, and researcher. Expert in forensic medicine and mental health issues.