As reactions to Donald Trump's presidential victory unfurl, conservative women are planning family expansions hopeful of beneficial economic policies, while some liberal women adopt a starkly contrasting stance, initiating a sex boycott against Trump supporters.
The divergent responses encapsulate the broader social polarizations following the election results, New York Post reported.
Tara Elsas, a resident of Illinois and a conservative mother, became one of the faces of this demographic shift when she posted a TikTok video sharing her newfound optimism about family planning under the Trump administration. Dancing to Usher’s “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)," Elsas humorously engaged her followers by discussing her plans to ask her husband about having another baby, buoyed by Trump’s proposed economic policies.
The promises made by Trump during his campaign are central to the Elsas family’s decision. These include ending what he calls the "inflation nightmare," no taxes on overtime, and extending existing tax benefits. Tara Elsas believes these measures will directly benefit her family’s financial situation, particularly because her husband, a firefighter, works extensive overtime.
In an interview with The Post, Elsas elaborated on her position, emphasizing the practicality of Trump’s economic strategies for her family. "My husband works a lot of overtime, so Trump proposing no taxes on it is a huge thing for us," she stated. Extending the current tax laws set to expire also figured into her optimistic outlook for extending her family.
Tara further detailed that these policy changes proposed by Trump could alleviate the financial burden of having another child. The potential for sustained economic relief makes the prospect of expanding their family a more feasible and less worrisome decision. "All of these things are going to enable us to have another child without the worry that inflation will keep growing," she commented, highlighting the desire for economic stability in her family planning decisions.
Concurrently, as conservative women like Elsa celebrate, a contrasting movement has emerged among some liberal women. Influenced by South Korea's "4B" movement, they have begun a boycott of sexual and reproductive interaction with men who supported Trump. This drastic measure mirrors their strong disapproval of the election outcome and is used as a form of protest.
This segment of liberal women believes that withholding sex from men who support Trump can serve as an effective protest against the values they perceive as upheld by his election. This method of protest has historical precedence but is seeing a modern revival in the context of current U.S. political divisions. Their actions underscore the intense polarization and the broad spectrum of public reactions to the political landscape.
Elsa’s viral TikTok video, which has amassed 66,000 views, not only depicted her joy but also resonated with other conservative viewers. Comments on her video reflected a shared sentiment among conservative women who similarly feel more confident in the possibilities of parenting more children under a Trump presidency.
Conversely, it also attracted critical views from those opposed to Trump’s policies and this form of familial enthusiasm based on a political figure’s promises. The split in public opinion is emblematic of the national divide, showcased vividly on platforms like TikTok where personality becomes political.
In her defense against critics, particularly regarding the liberal women's boycott, Elsas argues, “I truly think that’s crazy. Let’s let people have kids who are happy to have them, who love them, and can provide for them." She advocates for personal choice in family planning, irrespective of political affiliations, which continues to be a heated topic in this post-election period.
As America grapples with its political and social divisions post-election, families like the Elsas’ are navigating their futures influenced by presidential promises, while others choose protest to voice their dissent. The stark differences in reactions to Trump's victory underscore the complex weave of personal decisions tightly knotted with political beliefs.
