Gloria Steinem’s most withering remarks about Donald Trump
Gloria Steinem, the feminist activist and Ms. Magazine co-founder who died on Wednesday at the age of 92, spent decades challenging political and cultural power structures.
During President Donald Trump’s political rise, she became one of his most outspoken critics, repeatedly arguing that his rhetoric and conduct ran counter to the values she had spent her life advocating.
From his first presidential election victory in 2016 through his return to the White House and into his second term, Steinem regularly weighed in on Trump, often linking her criticism of him to wider debates about women’s rights, political representation and social activism.
‘I’m Not Going to Pretend He Represents Me’
In the days after Trump’s 2016 election victory over Hillary Clinton, Steinem made clear she would not reconcile herself to the result emotionally, even as she accepted it democratically.
She told WNYC’s The Takeaway: “I’m not going to disobey the law, but I’m not going to pretend he represents me,” adding that she refused to accept him as a reflection of her beliefs.
Her comments came amid widespread protests and demonstrations following the election, many of them led by women concerned about the future direction of the country.
The remarks marked the start of what would become years of public opposition to Trump and his political movement.
Why Steinem Called Trump the ‘Harasser in Chief’
One of Steinem’s most memorable critiques came in 2017, as the #MeToo movement transformed conversations about sexual misconduct and accountability.
Speaking at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, Steinem criticized a culture she believed had long enabled abusive behavior by powerful men. During her remarks, she referred to Trump as the “harasser in chief,” a pointed rebuke that drew national headlines.
The comment came as numerous women who had previously accused Trump of sexual misconduct renewed calls for their allegations to be taken seriously. Trump has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
Steinem argued that women were increasingly being heard and believed in public life, saying the moment represented a profound shift in social attitudes.
Her criticism of Trump was often woven into a broader argument that women were gaining political and cultural influence through activism and collective action.
‘Donald Trump Has Made Us Woke’
Despite her opposition to Trump, Steinem also argued that his presidency had inadvertently energized political engagement.
In a 2019 conversation with attorney Gloria Allred, she argued that “Donald Trump has made us woke,” suggesting that his presidency had galvanized activism and increased public awareness around issues affecting women and marginalized groups.
Rather than crediting Trump himself, Steinem’s point was that his presidency had prompted many Americans to become more politically engaged and aware of issues affecting women, minorities and other groups.
She suggested that the response to Trump had helped create a new generation of activists and advocates, particularly among younger Americans.
The observation reflected a recurring theme in Steinem’s public comments during the Trump era: that periods of political backlash can also become catalysts for social change.
A Critic Until the End
Even in recent years, Steinem’s view of Trump remained unchanged.
Earlier this year, she participated in a feature marking Trump’s 80th birthday in which public figures were asked to reflect on aging and offer advice to the president.
Asked what guidance she would give Trump as he entered his ninth decade, she responded with a single-word answer: “Resign.”
The brevity of the response underscored the consistency of her views. Nearly a decade after Trump’s first presidential campaign transformed American politics, Steinem remained one of his most recognizable critics.
