Trump sparks backlash after suggesting Tyson vs Harris boxing match

Trump’s remark comes as he claims growing support among women, despite his history of controversial comments.

Donald Trump has sparked a new wave of criticism after he jokingly suggested that Kamala Harris should face boxing legend Mike Tyson in the ring. The former president’s comments were made during a rally in Pennsylvania on Monday, where he responded to a suggestion from a rally-goer that Tyson should "be put in the ring with Kamala."

Trump’s reaction, which included praising Tyson as a formidable fighter, left many stunned. "Mike’s been through a lot, but he could fight, let me tell you, that guy could fight," Trump said. "Can you imagine Mike… oh he says ‘put Mike in the ring with Kamala.’ That would be interesting."

While Trump’s comment may have been intended as a joke, it has quickly become the subject of outrage, particularly among women’s rights groups and online commentators. His remark comes amid his continued claims of growing support among female voters, despite a history of controversial comments about women, including Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Liz Cheney.

The backlash was immediate, with many social media users highlighting the stark contrast between the two presidential candidates’ rhetoric on women’s issues. "Kamala’s closing pitch to women: ‘As a woman, you know that no one will fight harder to defend a woman’s right to her own bodily autonomy,’" one user wrote. "Trump’s closing pitch to women: ‘What if we had Mike Tyson brutalize my female opponent.’"

Another comment read: “I can’t imagine the cognitive dissonance it takes to sign up to be part of the Women For Trump audience and then laugh as this man fantasizes about violence against women.”

History of Controversial Remarks

Trump has frequently faced criticism for his remarks about women. During the 2016 election campaign, the release of a recording in which he bragged about groping women led to widespread condemnation. Despite the backlash, Trump has leaned into this controversial rhetoric, making jokes about his past remarks during rallies. At one recent event in Wisconsin, he said he would "protect women, whether they like it or not."

Trump’s rhetoric, including his suggestion about Tyson and Harris, adds to a series of violent fantasies he has expressed about high-profile women. In one rally, he made chilling remarks about Liz Cheney being shot by nine rifles, calling her a “war hawk.”

A Tone of Aggression

On Monday, just a day before Election Day, Trump doubled down on his aggressive tone. He referred to former Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as “crazy as a bed bug” and claimed his staff had urged him not to respond to Michelle Obama’s recent comments. “She hit me the other day,” Trump said about the former First Lady’s remarks. “I was gonna say to my people, ‘Am I allowed to hit her now?’ They said, ‘Take it easy, sir, sir.’”

Trump’s comments about Harris have reignited a wider debate about his behaviour towards women. Despite his claim of rising female support, many voters and observers have pointed to his violent and often misogynistic language as disqualifying.

The Trump campaign has yet to respond to requests for comment on the former president’s latest remarks about Tyson and Harris.