Opinion: Trump’s election, backlash to #MeToo and the will to fight on

In this op-ed, attorney Katie Shipp, Executive Director of the nonprofit I Have The Right To, explains the reckoning that the reelection of a president accused of sexual assault signals a backlash against the progress of the #MeToo movement.  

As the election results came in, I found myself paralyzed, locked in a familiar and unsettling state of déjà vu. The first time was devastating—watching a man who openly boasted about grabbing women by the p*ssy ascend to the highest office in our country was a searing moment. But this time, it’s worse. This time, he has been held legally accountable for sexual assault. This time, those voting for him knew with certainty who they were endorsing: a man willing to engage in fraud, defamation, incitement of violence, and clandestine payoffs, no matter who it harms or how deeply the consequences reverberate—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

In 2016, I watched in horror the first time he was elected president. Yet, I still felt a sense of pride in our country’s potential and remained focused on moving us forward. In 2017, I witnessed a different kind of awe—one grounded in hope—as survivors bravely stepped forward and shared their stories, propelling the #MeToo movement into a global force. This movement, sparked by activist Tarana Burke and amplified by a tweet from actress Alyssa Milano, emboldened survivors worldwide. Survivors like author, advocate, and filmmaker Chessy Prout who bravely stood up at fifteen years old and shared her story on national television. As an attorney representing survivors of sexual abuse at the time, I felt immense pride. We were making progress. Survivors’ voices were finally being heard, and state after state began passing statute of limitation reform laws that gave them pathways to pursue justice—holding both perpetrators and complicit institutions accountable. I stood beside survivors, advocated for them in court, and watched as we received decisions that felt like they were finally being heard. For the first time, it felt as though justice was within reach.

In wave after wave, powerful men were finally held accountable for their violent and despicable actions against women. It felt as though no one was beyond the reach of justice. Watching figures like Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, and Bill Cosby face the consequences of their crimes gave me hope that the world was changing for the better—that my son and future daughter would grow up in a world where accountability and respect were more than just ideals. In 2020, when the first female vice president was sworn into office, it felt like a landmark moment, signaling progress and resilience. The new administration worked to reverse some of the damaging policies and laws of its predecessor, and I felt a sense of relief when Title IX protections for survivors of campus sexual assault were reinstated. For the clients I represented—young people who had fought to be heard and believed—this was a tangible step toward justice.

In 2021, I welcomed my daughter into the world, a moment filled with love and hope for her future. But in 2022, that hope was shaken as I was confronted with the stark consequences of the Supreme Court appointments made by a man who openly disdains women. The reversal of Roe v. Wade was a gut-wrenching reminder of how progress can be unraveled. I watched the women around me, stunned into silence, processing the reality that decades of hard-fought victories for reproductive choice had been stripped away in an instant. It felt as though we had let down the generations of women who fought before us, and that weight pressed heavily on my own shoulders. I wept as I held my daughter, acutely aware of the battles she might have to face, but I also felt my resolve harden. I remained steadfast in my commitment to fight for a world where both my son and daughter could grow up in a society that was truly just and equal.

As it became clear that he would run another campaign for the presidency and his supporters grew louder and more emboldened, I struggled to comprehend how we had arrived here again. How could our country, after everything, not know better? Yet, amidst my disbelief, hope began to stir once more. A smart, capable, and unwavering woman stepped forward to lead the charge against him, embodying the strength and resolve that our nation so desperately needed. I thought, surely now people would see that she was the right choice—especially as voices from within his former inner circle spoke out, exposing his unfitness for the highest office. Their declarations painted an undeniable picture of a leader whose actions and values were fundamentally at odds with the ideals of justice and decency.

Then, just like that, he’ll be President once again in January. I thought to myself, how could this be? But the truth is, I know how. This is a direct backlash to the momentum and success of the #MeToo movement. After being held accountable, their dirty laundry laid bare for all to see, they were angry. They wanted us to retreat to the corners where they believe we belong. Not only do they want their power back—they want to scare us into silence and change the laws that would hold them accountable. But even with Trump as president, we are not going back. 

I’ve sat in workspaces where my body was objectified, with a male colleague who, despite proclaiming himself a feminist, warned me that, “it’s still a man’s world,” and when I pushed back was told I, “just need the D.” I’ve faced sexual violence in college, where a man pushed me down with every intention to harm me, had I not broken free. Since I was barely a teenager, I can still recall being grabbed, catcalled, and made to feel as though no matter how hard I worked I was still, somehow, inferior. I represented hundreds of survivors of sexual violence, their stories echoing constantly in my mind. I refuse to let this be the reality my daughter faces. Despite it all, I will keep holding my head high and moving forward because we have no choice but to do so. Our progress, our voices, and our refusal to be silenced cannot be undone. We will continue to fight for the rights and respect we deserve, and no political backlash can erase the strength we’ve built.

And lastly, I refuse to let this be the world my son inherits. I will continue to collaborate with male allies who envision a future for our young boys that isn’t shaped by toxic masculinity. A future where the soon-to-be president’s aggressive, hostile, and belligerent behavior is no longer viewed as admirable, but as a stark reminder of everything we must reject. I am committed to raising a son who embodies kindness, respect, emotional intelligence, and openness – a son who understands that true strength comes from empathy and who recognizes diversity not as a threat to his privilege, but as an opportunity for growth. Our boys must see this alternative and be empowered to choose it.

This is why I am so proud of the work we’re doing at the nonprofit I Have The Right To where I serve as the Executive Director. Every day, we empower young people with a message of hope and resilience, helping them build communities grounded in healing, safety, and respect. We teach them about healthy relationships, consent, aspirational masculinity, and empathetic leadership, ensuring they are equipped to lead with integrity. The fight for a more just, compassionate world rests in their hands, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the tools, the knowledge, and the courage to carry it forward. Our future depends on it.