During Donald Trump’s first stint at the White House, women journalists faced unprecedented threats and challenges. From online violence and smear campaigns to physical and verbal assaults, they remained at immense risk. As Trump returns to the presidency, his legacy indicates the threat of increased risks towards women journalists.
To understand these women’s experiences, as well as their reporting on gender, join us for a powerful discussion featuring: Women Press Freedom senior editor Inge Snip; Ms. managing digital editor Roxanne Szal; California-based journalist Cerise Castle; and longtime Coalition For Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) community member Megan Clement.
Watch the discussion live on CFWIJ’s YouTube channel at 10:30 a.m. ET (7:30 PT / 9:30 CT) on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (And head to the channel now to set a reminder for yourself for Monday morning!)
Key highlights from our findings from the previous Trump presidency:
1. Trump’s Public Attacks on Women Journalists
Trump’s administration was marked by public verbal attacks against women journalists, often laced with gendered and racial undertones.
- Women journalists covering significant beats, such as the White House, faced verbal harassment and attacks. The CFWIJ also highlighted cases during the Capitol Hill riots where female reporters were targeted, underscoring the dangers they encounter in the field.
- Black women journalists frequently bore the brunt of hostility either from President Trump himself, or from his administration. Yamiche Alcindor, a PBS correspondent, faced repeated interruptions and accusations of asking “nasty” questions during press briefings.
- April Ryan, a longtime White House correspondent, was publicly mocked and told to “sit down,” reinforcing racial and gendered power dynamics in the press room.
- Asian women journalists were frequently targeted with xenophobic and sexist remarks. Weijia Jiang, a CBS journalist, was told by Trump to “ask China” during a question about COVID-19, exposing the intersection of anti-Asian racism and sexism in his rhetoric.
Physical assaults also took place: Journalist Sophie Alexander was physically assaulted by Trump supporters after posing a question to the former president. She was booed, grabbed by the arm and told, “get out you stupid b****.” This incident reflects a broader pattern of hostility towards journalists covering Trump-related events.
2. Online Harassment and Threats
Trump’s public targeting of journalists, particularly women, emboldened his supporters to launch coordinated harassment campaigns online. This increased the number of smear campaigns on women journalists. Black and Asian women journalists experienced disproportionate levels of racist and misogynistic abuse, including death threats, doxxing, and coordinated trolling.
Reports from the CFWIJ documented the surge of online abuse directly tied to Trump’s statements, often exacerbating preexisting challenges for women journalists covering the White House and important issues across the country. For example women journalists covering COVID-19 faced increased smear campaigns against them, mostly from anti-waxers.
3. Racialized and Gendered Microaggressions
Women journalists of color often reported to the CFWIJ that they felt silenced or sidelined during press briefings.
Trump’s labeling of the media as “fake news” was disproportionately weaponized against women journalists who questioned his policies on race, gender or immigration.
During his previous administration, CFWIJ reported Trump accusing women journalists of “pushing an agenda” when they reported on policies impacting marginalized communities, such as child separation at the border.
4. Gender Disparities in Reporting Access
Women journalists faced challenges in accessing sources and government officials, with gender bias influencing who was granted interviews or inside information.
Women of color were particularly excluded, with their inquiries often dismissed or treated as adversarial.
5. Impact on Mental Health and Careers
The combination of public attacks, online abuse and institutional marginalization led to burnout, stress and PTSD for many women journalists.
The CFWIJ reported that several women journalists left political reporting entirely due to the hostile environment fostered under Trump’s presidency.
The previous Trump era exposed and intensified systemic inequities in journalism, particularly for women and women of color. Public attacks, online harassment, and structural barriers underscored the urgent need for industry-wide support systems to address these challenges.
The CFWIJ’s reports highlight the importance of fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for all journalists. Join us in this mission: Donate here.
