“Your Body, My Choice”: Post-Election Social Media Rhetoric

Since Donald Trump’s reelection, an increase in posts referencing phrases like “your body, my choice” and “get back to the kitchen” has been observed on social media. While some worry this reflects a spike in misogynistic sentiment, analysis shows that the volume of such posts remains relatively limited and does not reflect the broader societal attitude, which remains largely pro-feminist and supportive of gender equality.

One of the most notable examples came from White nationalist Nick Fuentes, who shared a post with the phrase “Your body, my choice” on X (formerly Twitter), gaining substantial reach with millions of views. Despite its visibility, experts suggest that this post and similar ones come from a small subset of the “manosphere” community—a network of online spaces that range from anti-feminist to extremist rhetoric.

An Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) report noted that Fuentes’ post led to a temporary surge in mentions of “your body, my choice” on social media platforms. However, the phrase was primarily countered by women posting in opposition, indicating that many online communities are actively pushing back against these statements. On platforms like TikTok, the trending phrase “we own your body” mostly features users refuting or criticizing the message.

Misinterpretations and Reactions

The phrase “your body, my choice” is an attempt to invert the pro-choice slogan “my body, my choice,” used widely by advocates of reproductive rights. The ISD noted that many of these posts echo sentiments from groups who view Trump’s victory as a setback for women’s reproductive freedoms.

Trump’s campaign featured statements that some perceived as tone-deaf, including comments suggesting he would “protect women whether they like it or not.” His Vice President-elect, JD Vance, has also been criticized for past statements directed at women, particularly around family dynamics and motherhood.

Response from Social Media Platforms

Neither X nor TikTok provided immediate responses regarding these trends. While X’s harassment policy limits certain targeted abusive behaviors, broad statements are generally not prohibited under its guidelines. As of now, there has been no clear indication that these platforms plan to adjust policies in light of this content.

Offline Impact and Broader Context

Concerns that online rhetoric could spill into real-life interactions have surfaced. Some parents report instances where phrases like “your body, my choice” were repeated in schools by young boys. While these reports are concerning, incidents remain minimal and largely contained to online conversations.

Separate from these conversations, Black Americans received anonymous, racially abusive text messages last week. State and federal authorities are investigating the origins of these messages, which have raised additional concerns about election-related harassment.

Public Sentiment and Backlash

Despite the visibility of certain inflammatory posts, it’s worth noting that the majority of Americans hold pro-feminist views. The surge in these statements appears concentrated within isolated online communities, rather than reflecting broader societal beliefs. Many social media users, especially women, have pushed back, using their platforms to speak out against misogynistic messaging, demonstrating that most people continue to support gender equality and oppose harassment.

While phrases like “your body, my choice” have trended in some online circles, the widespread response has been one of disapproval. Social media platforms and law enforcement are monitoring developments, and many in the public sphere are actively challenging such rhetoric to reaffirm support for women’s rights.