Some feel that former President Trump’s male supporters are “stuck in the 1950s”, while others say Vice President Harris attracts a lot of “low-testosterone beta males” with polarized views of masculinity at the heart of this year’s election campaign.
“November is about masculinity,” author Ronald Levant told Fox News Digital.
CNN’s Dana Bash suggested Democratic National Convention officials were working to win the support of men who would prefer speakers like Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Doug Emhoff over wrestler Hulk Hogan, who famously ripped off his shirt to show his support for Trump at last month’s Republican National Convention.
“They’re trying to promote an image of masculinity. Tim Waltz is one of them. Doug Emhoff was one of them last night. They can speak to men who may not be the testosterone-filled, gun-toting guys who want to listen to Hulk Hogan or some of the guys who came out at the Republican National Convention,” Bash said Wednesday.
CNN’s Dana Bash argues the Democratic National Convention appeals to men who aren’t as “testosterone-fueled”
Masculinity is a frequent point of discussion when comparing former President Trump’s attractiveness to male Democratic politicians such as Governor Tim Walz. (Trump photo by Javin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images; Waltz photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
The CNN anchor added that Democrats want to win the support of men “who understand that in 2024, it’s okay to be a man who can be himself and support a woman.”
“They’re really trying to reach out to male voters beyond their base,” Bash said.
Bash’s comments quickly went viral, with many conservatives pointing out that the DNC was making statements like that, appealing to “low testosterone soy boys.” One response was, “I’m high testosterone and I like long guns, so I’ll pass.” Others were upset that Bash suggested being a wrestling fan who likes to hunt is in conflict with being a loving, supportive husband.
While Trump supporters mock liberals, others have differing views on how the Trump-Harris contest will impact modern discussions about masculinity in America, and whether traditional masculine values are welcome or even have a place now.
Democrats are dubbed “low-testosterone soy boys” after a CNN anchor said the Democratic National Convention appeals to the opposite demographic of “high-testosterone men.”
While Bash and others suggest Democrats want to appeal to men with a feminine side, the Harris and Walz campaigns are pitching the Minnesota governor as a flannel-wearing former football coach and are promoting camouflage hats, historically seen on the type of gun-toting men that Bash feels the Republican National Convention appealed to.
Levant, author of several books on men, masculinity, family and gender psychology, including “Men’s Issues” and “Reconstructing Masculinity,” said a lot has changed since the 1950s, when men dominated the home.
Walz’s son, Gus, stood and cried as he praised his father during Wednesday’s speech at the Democratic National Convention, a testament to the Minnesota governor’s manly qualities, he feels.
“I think it speaks to the kind of man Tim Waltz is. He cares for his son, he cares for his daughter. So I think there’s a new model for manhood,” Levant said.
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and author, believes that comments like Bash’s “serve the media to further divide the electorate.”
“The truth is, testosterone levels are not affected by political stances. Sure, some activities may be for adrenaline junkie thrill seekers, but I know plenty of those types of people who vote Democrat,” Alpert told Fox News Digital. “Similarly, I know plenty of right-leaning guys who aren’t interested in activities traditionally associated with masculinity.”
Gus Walz breaks down in tears as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, speaks during the Democratic National Convention, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Luke)
Alpert said Trump generally emphasizes “more traditional ideas of masculinity” such as “aggression, toughness and dominance” and recently demonstrated his defiant attitude after being shot by an assassin in Pennsylvania.
“Surviving a recent assassination attempt and then rising with a bloody face is emblematic of a role for masculinity that is often only portrayed 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 Zerkin, a branding expert and author of “Moving Your Brand Out Of The Friend Zone,” said Bash’s take oversimplifies the issue by focusing on gender dynamics.
“What’s really important, especially with a leader like Tim Waltz, is a voice on leadership that transcends gender. Waltz shows that strength isn’t just about projecting power or fitting into overly stereotypical masculine roles. It’s about essence – authentically connecting with people and leading with empathy,” Zakin told Fox News Digital.
“Waltz is every bit as manly as a guy like Hulk Hogan, but his strength doesn’t come from bravado or male hormones. It comes from who he is as a person and as a leader. It’s from how he relates to people, the integrity he brings and the content behind his words,” Zakin continued. “So this isn’t about gender. This is about the strength we need today.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, US Democratic Party vice presidential candidate, delivers a speech on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA on August 21, 2024. (Reuters/Brendan McDiarmid)
Mike Nellis, founder of White Dudes for Harris, believes the men who have been mocked online as “beta males” in the wake of Bash’s comments are actually inspiring.
“Dana is absolutely right. There are tens of millions of men who reject the outdated, hyper-masculine image promoted by Hulk Hogan and his Republican colleagues. Hogan is a relic of a bygone era, when a ‘real man’ was defined by outdated notions of toughness and bravery,” Nellis told Fox News Digital.
“But true masculinity isn’t about clinging to an empty masculinity; it’s about caring for others and building strong communities. Men today are tired of these harmful narratives. We want to lead with love and hope,” Nellis continued. “Leaders like Governor Tim Walz, a former high school teacher and leader of the Gay-Straight Alliance, and Doug Emhoff, who proudly supports his wife, embody the kind of masculinity we should aspire to.”
At the Republican National Convention in July, Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, in typical professional wrestling style, ditched his “Real American” shirt to reveal a Trump Vance 2024 shirt.
“Enough is enough, I said: Let the Trump maniacs run wild, brother. Let the Trump maniacs rule again. Let the Trump maniacs make America great again,” he yelled.
Democratic National Convention: Live Updates
Professional entertainer and wrestler Hulk Hogan rips his shirt while speaking during day four of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on July 18, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Seeger)
Ted Jenkin, CEO and co-founder of Oxygen Financial and president of Exit Stage Left Advisors, who typically comments on business topics, doesn’t like to be told how to be identified.
“Why are we constantly being told how we should be as men in America? We can watch Hulk-a-Mania rampage one day and watch a Hallmark movie the next. We should vote for policies over personalities. I choose capitalism and being an entrepreneur like Hulk Hogan every day rather than having big government tell me how to act and what to do,” Jenkin told Fox News Digital.
Dr. Alexa Chilcutt.The professor, who heads the Women’s Leadership Academy at Johns Hopkins University, said she understands why some feel the Democratic Party appeals to “men who support women and are still comfortable with their masculinity,” but that it’s more of a generational and cultural issue.
“We’ve created the ‘daddy bod’ and ‘soft man’ as something we should hold up as modern masculinity, embracing cultural norms and ambiguity. They’re not competing with men who are attracted to Conservatives. These men see themselves as acting on constitutional values and owning guns, but this doesn’t preclude them from unilaterally supporting women,” Chilkat told Fox News Digital.
“This is not to deny that they are receiving a higher education,” Chilcutt continued.
“I know plenty of other men and I’m married to men like that. There’s a certain amount of women who are attracted to alpha males and appreciate them. They command a certain amount of respect.”
CNN host Dana Bash talked about how some of the speakers at the Democratic National Convention appealed to men, in stark contrast to some of the speakers at the Republican National Convention. (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 Democratic National Convention is the polar opposite of the Republican National Convention.
“The Democratic National Convention was clearly low energy and low impact, with Democrats ranting and raving with no message other than nasty personal attacks and outright lies. This contrasts with the Republican National Convention and President Trump, who have presented a positive vision for America,” Trump campaign communications director Stephen Chang told Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital’s Alexander Hall, David Latz and Ryan Gaydas contributed to this report.
