Some argue that former President Trump’s male supporters are “stuck in the 1950s,” while others say Vice President Harris is attracting a group of “low-testosterone betas” as polarizing views about masculinity take center stage in this year’s campaign.
“Masculinity will be on the agenda in the November election,” author Ronald Levant told Fox News Digital.
CNN’s Dana Bash suggested that Democratic National Convention officials were trying to win the support of men who prefer speakers like Gov. Tim Walz and second gentleman Doug Emhoff to wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who ripped off his shirt to announce his support for Trump at last month’s Republican National Convention.
“They’re doing it by trying to bring forward male figures, Tim Walz being one of them, Doug Emhoff last night, who can speak to men who may not be the kind of testosterone-fueled, you know, gun-toting, Hulk Hogan-type guys and the kind of players that came to the NCR,” Bash said Wednesday.
CNN’S DANA BASH SAYS DNC IS FOR MEN WHO ARE NOT ‘LOADED WITH TESTOSTERONE’
Masculinity has often been a talking point when comparing former President Trump’s appeal to that of male Democratic Party figures like Gov. Tim Walz. (Photo of Trump by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images. | Photo of Walz by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The CNN anchor added that Democrats want to convince men who “understand that in 2024, it’s acceptable to be a comfortable man who supports a woman.”
“It’s something they’re really trying to work on with male voters beyond the base,” Bash said.
Bash’s comments quickly went viral, with many conservatives suggesting that the DNC attracted “low-testosterone guys” and other remarks of that nature. One response was, “I like my high testosterone and my long guns, so I’ll pass.” Others were irritated that she suggested that being a wrestling fan who loves to hunt and also being a loving, supportive husband were mutually exclusive.
While Trump supporters have been quick to tease liberals, others have different views on how the Trump-Harris race will affect the modern debate about being a man in America, and whether traditional masculine values are welcome or have a place now.
DEMOCRATS MATTERED AS ‘LOW SOY BOYS’ AFTER CNN ANCHOR SAYS DNC IS APPEAL TO OPPOSITION ‘TESTOSTERONE-LOADED MEN’
While Bash and others have suggested that Democrats want to attract men who are in touch with their feminine side, the Harris-Walz campaign has portrayed the Minnesota governor as a former football coach in a flannel shirt. The campaign has also promoted the camouflage caps that would historically be seen on the type of gun-toting men Bash believes the RNC has appealed to.
Levant, who has written numerous books on the psychology of men and masculinity, the psychology of family and gender, including “The Problem with Men” and “Masculinity Reconstructed,” said much has changed since men ran households in the 1950s.
He credits Walz’s son Gus, who shed tears as he stood and applauded his father during Wednesday’s DNC speech, as proof that the Minnesota governor is as manly as he needs to be.
“I think it shows the kind of man Tim Walz is … he takes care of his son. He takes care of his daughter. So I think there’s a new model of man,” Levant said.
Psychotherapist and author Jonathan Alpert believes that “the media is further dividing the electorate” with remarks like those made by Bash.
“Truth be told, testosterone levels are not influenced by political affiliation. Sure, some activities may be more suited to thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, but I know a lot of those types of people who vote Democrat,” Alpert told Fox News Digital. “Similarly, I know a lot of people who lean right and aren’t interested in activities that are traditionally associated with masculinity.”
Gus Walz cries as Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during the Democratic National Convention, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Alpert said Trump “generally emphasizes more traditional ideas of masculinity,” such as “assertiveness, toughness and dominance” and recently his show of defiance when he was shot in Pennsylvania by a would-be assassin.
“Surviving the recent assassination attempt and rising with a bloodied face epitomizes the role of masculinity often portrayed only in Hollywood,” Alpert said, noting that “Harris’ perspective challenges more traditional stereotypes by emphasizing diversity and inclusion and adapting to the ever-changing face of masculinity.”
Doug Zarkin, a branding expert and author of “Moving Your Brand Out Of The Friend Zone,” said Bash’s approach oversimplifies the issue by focusing on gender dynamics.
“What’s really at stake, especially with leaders like Tim Walz, is a commentary on leadership that goes beyond gender. Walz shows us that strength isn’t just about projecting power or fitting an overly stereotypical masculine model. It’s about substance: connecting with people on an authentic level and leading with empathy,” Zarkin told Fox News Digital.
“Walz is every bit as masculine as someone like Hulk Hogan, but his strength doesn’t come from bravado or testosterone. It comes from who he is as a person and as a leader. It’s about how he interacts with people, the authenticity he brings and the substance behind his words,” Zarkin continued. “So it’s not about gender. It’s about the kind of strength we need today.”
U.S. Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz takes the stage on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 21, 2024. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
Mike Nellis, founder of White Dudes for Harris, believes the men who were mocked online as “beta males” following Bash’s comments are actually inspiring figures.
“Dana is absolutely right: Tens of millions of men are rejecting the outdated, hyper-masculine image espoused by figures like Hulk Hogan and his Republican counterparts. Hogan represents a relic of a bygone era, when ‘real men’ were defined by archaic notions of toughness and bravado,” Nellis told Fox News Digital.
“But true masculinity is about caring for others and building strong communities, not clinging to empty machismo. Men today are tired of this toxic narrative; we want to lead with love and hope,” Nellis continued. “Leaders like Governor Tim Walz, who taught high school and led the Gay-Straight Alliance, and Doug Emhoff, who proudly supports his wife, embody the kind of masculinity worth aspiring to.”
At the RNC in July, Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, ripped off the “Real American” T-shirt he was wearing to reveal a Trump-Vance 2024 T-shirt — in classic pro wrestling fashion.
“Enough is enough, and I said, let Trump-a-mania run wild, brother. Let Trump-a-mania reign again. Let Trump-a-mania make America great again,” he shouted.
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION: LIVE NEWS
Professional entertainer and wrestler Hulk Hogan rips his shirt as he speaks on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 18, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)
Ted Jenkin, CEO and co-founder of Oxygen Financial and chairman of Exit Stage Left Advisors, who usually comments on business issues, doesn’t appreciate being told how to identify himself.
“Why are we constantly being told how we should identify as men in America? You can love watching Hulk-A-Mania and the next day you can watch a Hallmark movie. We should vote on policy rather than personality and I certainly prefer capitalism and being an entrepreneur like Hulk Hogan every day than having a government telling me how I should act and what I should do,” Jenkin told Fox News Digital.
Dr. Alexa Chilcutt, Ph.D., a professor at Johns Hopkins University who directs the school’s Academy for Women and Leadership, understands why some think Democrats attract “men who support women and still embrace their masculinity,” but said it’s more of a generational and cultural issue.
“We created the ‘dad bod’ or the ‘softer man’ as something to stand for as a contemporary man — someone who embraces cultural norms and blurriness. They’re not competing with men who are drawn to the conservative party. These men see themselves as being guided by constitutional values, and maybe gun-toting, but that doesn’t unilaterally preclude them from supporting women,” Chilcutt told Fox News Digital.
“It doesn’t stop them from having a high level of education either,” Chilcutt continued.
“I know a lot of other people and I’m married to a man like that. There are also a number of women who are attracted to men who are alpha males and who also have a high regard for women. They command a certain respect.”
CNN host Dana Bash explained that some DNC speakers addressed men in a way that contrasts sharply with some of those who spoke at the RNC. (CNN)
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The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Trump campaign agrees with Bash that the DNC is the opposite of the RNC.
“The DNC is clearly a low-energy, low-impact event with Democrats yelling and screaming with no message other than disgusting personal attacks and outright lies. Contrast that with the RNC and President Trump who has offered a positive vision for America,” Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital.
Alexander Hall, David Rutz and Ryan Gaydos of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
