Macho, macho men? Democrats talk masculinity on campaign trail after years of Trump’s bravado

The 2022 midterm elections are shaping up to be influenced by a new undercurrent of masculinity politics. Following Donald Trump's decade-long campaign of belittling opponents and asserting his own version of toughness, several key races are featuring male candidates discussing their masculinity.

Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan confronted Republican rival Mike Rogers over perceived "beta energy," referencing their shared high school football background. Meanwhile, Texas Republican Sen. Ken Paxton mocked Democratic nominee James Talarico with the nickname "Low T Talarico," despite Talarico being 37 years old. Talarico dismissed the insult, stating he doesn't concern himself with testosterone levels.

Political analyst Beth Reingold from Emory University explains that while women candidates have historically been scrutinized for their femininity, this election season, male candidates are under pressure to showcase their masculinity. Trump's presidency set a tone of toughness, with him frequently using mocking nicknames against opponents and claiming to have a "big" penis. This approach resonated with male voters, who now make up a larger portion of Trump's support base.

Candidates are responding with a mix of confidence and defensiveness. El-Sayed has responded to Rogers' high school football jabs on social media, emphasizing his own athletic accomplishments. Meanwhile, Texas Republican Sen. Ken Paxton has targeted Talarico with an ad that references transgender politics, suggesting that masculinity is a central theme of the race.