Rising Hostility: How the 'Manosphere' is fueling misogyny after the US election
Annapurna Rai | Apr 25, 2025, 00:04 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Following the US election, online hostility towards women has surged, fueled by the "manosphere," a network promoting hyper-masculine ideologies. This digital subculture exhibits increased threats and harassment, interpreting election outcomes as a rejection of male authority.
In the aftermath of the recent US election, a troubling surge in online hostility toward women is gaining momentum, driven by a loosely connected network known as the "manosphere." This digital subculture—made up of forums, influencers, and communities centered around hyper-masculine ideologies—has grown louder, more aggressive, and increasingly emboldened.
The manosphere is not new, but recent political shifts appear to have energized its most extreme voices. Following the election, analysts have observed a marked increase in threats, demeaning rhetoric, and coordinated online harassment campaigns targeting women. The content ranges from overtly misogynistic commentary to dangerous calls for action against what members describe as a “feminist-controlled society.”
This emboldened movement is fueled by a mix of grievance politics, perceived victimhood, and a belief that traditional gender roles have been undermined. Within its digital circles, election outcomes are interpreted not just as political results, but as cultural rejections of masculinity and male authority. The response has been a renewed push to assert dominance—often at the expense of women’s safety and dignity.
What makes this rise particularly alarming is the way online extremism can spill into the real world. Law enforcement and social researchers warn that rhetoric from the manosphere isn’t confined to dark corners of the internet. It can inspire acts of harassment, workplace discrimination, and in rare but serious cases, violence.
Meanwhile, women in public life—especially journalists, politicians, and activists—are facing a disproportionate share of the backlash. Many report being flooded with hateful messages, threats of violence, and other forms of targeted abuse simply for participating in civic discourse.
The manosphere’s growing presence also poses a challenge for tech platforms and policymakers. Efforts to curb hate speech and harassment are met with cries of censorship, even as the harmful content escalates. Balancing freedom of expression with the protection of individuals from targeted abuse remains a complex and contentious issue.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, so too does the digital one. The rise of the manosphere is a stark reminder that online communities, while virtual, can have profound real-world consequences. Addressing this trend will require a coordinated effort across government, technology, and society to ensure that digital spaces remain safe and inclusive for everyone.
The manosphere is not new, but recent political shifts appear to have energized its most extreme voices. Following the election, analysts have observed a marked increase in threats, demeaning rhetoric, and coordinated online harassment campaigns targeting women. The content ranges from overtly misogynistic commentary to dangerous calls for action against what members describe as a “feminist-controlled society.”
This emboldened movement is fueled by a mix of grievance politics, perceived victimhood, and a belief that traditional gender roles have been undermined. Within its digital circles, election outcomes are interpreted not just as political results, but as cultural rejections of masculinity and male authority. The response has been a renewed push to assert dominance—often at the expense of women’s safety and dignity.
What makes this rise particularly alarming is the way online extremism can spill into the real world. Law enforcement and social researchers warn that rhetoric from the manosphere isn’t confined to dark corners of the internet. It can inspire acts of harassment, workplace discrimination, and in rare but serious cases, violence.
Meanwhile, women in public life—especially journalists, politicians, and activists—are facing a disproportionate share of the backlash. Many report being flooded with hateful messages, threats of violence, and other forms of targeted abuse simply for participating in civic discourse.
The manosphere’s growing presence also poses a challenge for tech platforms and policymakers. Efforts to curb hate speech and harassment are met with cries of censorship, even as the harmful content escalates. Balancing freedom of expression with the protection of individuals from targeted abuse remains a complex and contentious issue.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, so too does the digital one. The rise of the manosphere is a stark reminder that online communities, while virtual, can have profound real-world consequences. Addressing this trend will require a coordinated effort across government, technology, and society to ensure that digital spaces remain safe and inclusive for everyone.