Former President Donald Trump has been making derogatory remarks towards CNN anchor Anderson Cooper by referring to him with a woman’s name, Allison Cooper. This occurred on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, and during a rally in Traverse City, Michigan where he criticized Cooper’s town hall with Vice President Kamala Harris. By using a woman’s name for Cooper, Trump seems to be invoking stereotypes against gay men and aiming to appeal to a hypermasculine audience as he seeks to return to the White House.
Trump continued to use the name Allison Cooper during subsequent rallies in Michigan and Pennsylvania, suggesting that even Cooper himself was embarrassed by the town hall. This rhetoric further plays into the trope of gay men as effeminate, which has long been used to belittle and undermine them. These comments come as Trump tries to boost his support among men in the final stretch of his presidential campaign, using divisive and derogatory language towards a prominent openly gay journalist.
In addition to his remarks about Anderson Cooper, Trump recorded a three-hour interview with Joe Rogan, a popular podcast host among young men. This move further emphasizes Trump’s efforts to appeal to men through hypermasculine and divisive rhetoric. This strategy is exemplified by his discussion of legendary golfer Arnold Palmer’s genitalia at a rally in Pennsylvania. These tactics underscore Trump’s focus on driving up his support among his base of male voters as he seeks to make a comeback to the White House.
The Trump campaign has not responded to requests for comment on the derogatory remarks towards Anderson Cooper, and a representative for Cooper declined to comment. This lack of response indicates a pattern of avoiding accountability for Trump’s divisive and disrespectful language towards journalists, particularly those who are part of marginalized communities. The use of derogatory language and stereotypes to appeal to a specific audience raises concerns about the normalization of such behavior in political discourse.
As the presidential campaign intensifies and Trump ramps up his efforts to appeal to male voters, the use of derogatory language towards Anderson Cooper highlights the toxic masculinity and intolerance present in American politics. By resorting to sexist and homophobic stereotypes, Trump is engaging in harmful rhetoric that undermines the dignity and respect of LGBTQ individuals. It is crucial for media outlets and the public to hold political figures accountable for their language and to reject discriminatory behavior in all its forms. The disparaging remarks towards Anderson Cooper serve as a reminder of the importance of promoting inclusivity and respect in political discourse.
