Trump must stick to issues and watch his tone to appeal to female voters

Last week, the internet buzz was all about Ohio Sen. JD Vance and his comments on the Democratic Party being run by “childless cat ladies.”

In a 2021 Fox News interview, Vance, who is now Donald Trump’s former running mate, questioned why those without a direct stake in the country are the ones in charge.

Many who were unlikely to support Trump, regardless of Vance, took offense and feigned outrage at his remarks.

Vance’s comments, seen as condescending and judgmental, did not sit well with some Republican women either.

While Vance’s observations make sense on a societal level, they struck a painful chord for women who desired children but were unable to have them for various reasons.

A recent Pew Poll showed that a majority of Trump supporters believe society should prioritize marriage and having children, contrasting sharply with Biden’s supporters.

Insulting one’s own base, especially women, is something the Democrats excel at, while Republicans struggle with.

Recently, a Zoom call called “White Women: Answer the Call!” raised funds for Kamala Harris by disparaging white women.

While Trump’s appeal to women is important, winning over female voters is not impossible, as demonstrated in the increase in female support from 2016 to 2020.

To build on this momentum, the Trump campaign should not portray women as a fringe minority but recognize that they share the same concerns as men on many issues.

Policies such as curbing illegal immigration, addressing inflation, and promoting universal school choice are likely to resonate with female voters, just as they do with male voters.

While personal attacks must be minimized, highlighting Trump’s more compassionate side and featuring women who know him well could help in appealing to female voters.

Ultimately, adjusting the campaign’s tone and focusing on issues that matter to women can help increase female voter turnout for Trump.

As the former president asks, are we better off than we were four years ago? For many, the answer is no.

Karol Markowicz is the author of the book “Stolen Youth.”