Simone Lawson
Former US President Donald Trump has been known for his bluntness and derogatory statements about women and his political opponents. During the 2024 election campaign, Trump reportedly used a four-letter slur often targeted at women to describe Vice President Kamala Harris during private conversations. While Trump's campaign denied the use of the word bitch to describe Harris, it is not the first time he has made controversial statements about her. At a Pennsylvania rally, Trump referred to Harris as a shit vice president and has also called her a horrible person, not a smart person, and a liar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of letters in the word | 4 |
| Word used to describe | Kamala Harris |
| Type of conversations | Private |
| Denial by | Steven Cheung, Trump campaign spokesperson |
| Occasions | At least two |
| People who heard Trump use the word | Two |
| Identity of the people who heard Trump use the word | Anonymity granted |
| Description of Harris by Trump in the past | "Nasty" |
| Other women described as "nasty" by Trump | Hillary Clinton |
| Other derogatory terms used by Trump | "Horseface", "nut job", "liar", "horrible person", "not a smart person", "low energy" |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's use of the word 'b' to describe Harris
Former US President Donald Trump has a history of making derogatory statements about women and his political opponents. In keeping with this pattern, Trump reportedly used a slur often targeted at women to describe Vice President Kamala Harris during at least two private conversations. The New York Times cited two people who, on different occasions, heard Trump call Harris a "bitch". The people were granted anonymity to describe these private discussions.
In response, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied that Trump had used such language to describe Harris, stating that this was "not how the campaign would characterize her". However, Trump has a history of making disparaging comments about women, including calling Harris, the Democrats' presidential candidate, and other women such as Hillary Clinton, "nasty". He also bragged about grabbing women's genitalia in the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape.
Trump's comments about Harris come as part of a series of personal attacks on the vice president. During a campaign event in Scranton, Pennsylvania, earlier this month, he called Harris a "horrible person", "not a smart person", and a "liar". Trump has also falsely claimed that Harris, who is Black and of Asian descent, has misled voters about her race.
Trump's bluntness and controversial statements have been a defining feature of his political career. While his supporters may view this as a sign of honesty or straight talk, his detractors argue that his language is inappropriate, offensive, and damaging. Trump's comments about Harris specifically have been criticised as sexist and racist, reflecting a broader pattern of derogatory statements towards women and people of colour.
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Trump's history of derogatory statements about women
Former US President Donald Trump has a long history of making derogatory and offensive statements about women, including several high-profile female politicians. Trump has been criticised for his comments about Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he called a "b" during at least two private conversations. He has also referred to Harris, who is Black and of Asian descent, as “nasty” and falsely accused her of misleading voters about her race.
Trump's derogatory statements about women date back to at least 1991, when he said in an interview with Esquire Magazine, "It doesn’t really matter what (the media) write as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass." In 2005, he made crude and sexist comments in an "Access Hollywood" tape, bragging about grabbing women "by the p" and claiming that "when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything." These comments resurfaced in 2016 during his presidential campaign and made headlines.
Trump has also targeted other female politicians with his derogatory remarks. He has called Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee, "nasty" and questioned her stamina, saying, "She doesn't have the look. She doesn't have the stamina, I said she doesn't have the stamina, and I don't believe she does have the stamina." In a tweet, he also insinuated that Clinton could not "satisfy her husband," and therefore could not "satisfy America." Trump has also made offensive comments about Carly Fiorina, referring to her as "horseface" during a 2016 campaign debate, and Rosie O'Donnell, saying, "I said very tough things to her, and I think everybody would agree that she deserves it and nobody feels sorry for her."
Trump's offensive language towards women extends beyond politics. In an interview with Howard Stern in 2005, he commented on a woman's breast reduction surgery, stating, "The good news: Nobody calls her anymore — nobody even looks — and not only that, it was a terrible job." He has also made inappropriate remarks about his own daughter, Ivanka Trump, saying, "She does have a very nice figure. I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her."
In addition to his derogatory statements, Trump has been criticised for his treatment of women in his administration. He has been known to refer to his female advisers and diplomats in gendered terms, such as calling former ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, "the woman." Trump has also made comments about the appearance of his female advisers, such as Kellyanne Conway, saying, "She must have done some bad things to him [her husband] because that guy's crazy." Despite facing criticism for his comments about women, Trump has continued to make similar statements throughout his political career.
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Trump's comments about Harris' race
In 2024, former US President Donald Trump questioned Vice President Kamala Harris's race during an appearance with the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago. Trump falsely suggested that Harris, who is Black and of Asian descent, had misled voters about her race. Harris responded to Trump's comments, calling them "the same old show of divisiveness and disrespect".
Trump has a history of making derogatory statements about women and his political opponents. He has referred to Harris as "nasty" and, according to reports, used a slur often targeted at women to describe her during private conversations. His campaign denied the use of the slur.
Trump has also equated diversity with incompetence and framed diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as inherently at odds with "merit". This rhetorical strategy has been criticised as discriminatory, with its underlying assumption that people of colour, women, the disabled, and other marginalised groups lack capacity.
Trump's comments and actions have broader implications beyond offensive language. Under his administration, federal agencies have been discouraged from using certain terms related to diversity and inclusion, reflecting a shift in the language used within the federal government. Trump's conduct has been described as an attempt to purge the federal government of "woke" initiatives.
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Trump's personal attacks on Harris
Former US President Donald Trump has a history of making derogatory statements about women and his political opponents. He has made several personal attacks on Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent to become vice president.
Trump has used a slur often targeted at women to describe Harris in at least two private conversations. The New York Times cited two anonymous sources who, on different occasions, heard Trump call Harris a "bitch". In response, a Trump campaign spokesperson denied that Trump had used this language to describe Harris. However, Trump has a history of making misogynistic and racist statements, and his comments about Harris have been criticised as such.
Trump has also falsely claimed that Harris, who is Black and of Asian descent, has misled voters about her race. Additionally, he has referred to other women in politics as "nasty," including Hillary Clinton, and has branded political rivals with demeaning nicknames. For example, he called Carly Fiorina, a rival for the Republican nomination in 2016, "horseface" during a campaign debate.
Trump's comments about Harris have been met with criticism from some Republican leaders, who have warned party members against using overtly racist and sexist attacks. They have urged lawmakers to stick to criticising Harris for her role in the Biden-Harris administration policies rather than making personal attacks. However, some members and Trump allies have cast Harris as a "DEI" hire, suggesting that she was chosen for reasons of diversity, equity, and inclusion rather than merit.
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Trump's comments about Harris' campaign events
In October 2024, former US President Donald Trump accused Kamala Harris of running a "campaign of hate" at his Mar-a-Lago club. This came a day after a controversial rally at Madison Square Garden, where Trump's aides worried that his rhetoric might have broken through to voters in the final days of the presidential race. The event was open to reporters, but Trump took no questions, and instead attempted to change the narrative by arguing that Harris was stoking division.
Trump's comments came as Harris and Trump held events to try and broaden their appeal with just 20 days until Election Day. Harris appeared on Fox News for the first time, while Trump addressed recent controversial comments that risked alienating voters. Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden was described as )"racist and crude" by aides, with the first speaker describing Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage" and making racist comments about Black people.
Trump has a history of making derogatory statements about women and his political opponents. He has referred to Harris as "nasty" and, according to two anonymous sources, called her a "b" in private conversations. He has also made false claims about Harris' race and has directed disparaging comments toward men, such as branding Senator Marco Rubio "liddle Marco".
In addition to his comments about Harris' campaign events, Trump sued CBS for $10 million over a "60 Minutes" interview with Harris, claiming it was deceptively edited to make her look good. CBS agreed to hand over unedited transcripts and camera feeds of the interview to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is led by Trump's appointee, Brendan Carr.
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Frequently asked questions
Trump called Harris a "liar".
Trump has referred to Harris as a "horrible person" and "not a smart person". He has also called her a "s--- vice president".
Yes, according to the New York Times, Trump called Harris a "b----" during at least two private conversations.
Yes, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied the allegations, saying, "That is not language President Trump has used to describe Kamala and it’s not how the campaign would characterize her."
