You’ve heard of the “manosphere.” Now, meet the “womanosphere."
How Erika Kirk and online influencers are selling conservative politics to Gen Z women
The “manosphere” was widely seen as a key factor in Donald Trump’s 2024 election win, with 56% of men under 30 voting for him, up from 41% four years earlier.
Now, there’s a focused effort to create a new right-wing media system aimed at young women—and the effort is being spearheaded by the new most powerful woman in conservative politics, Erika Kirk.
Charlie Kirk was an early pioneer in leveraging online influencers to meet young men where they were, many of whom are typically among the least politically engaged, and turn them into strong advocates for conservative causes.
Now, with Erika Kirk as CEO of Turning Point USA, that infrastructure is being retooled with a feminine touch to elevate a new generation of conservative leaders appealing to young women.
This new “womansphere” has found its home online, utilizing everything from right-wing YouTube channels and Make America Healthy Again influencers.
They’re providing women with a community in a time when women are hungry for it.
In just three weeks following Charlie Kirk’s death, female conservative influencers have gained more than 8 million followers, with Erika Kirk gaining over 6.8 million followers.
While the women may have different styles and tactics, they are aligned in their goal to return to a country where women are traditional homemakers and men are the providers – even when they don’t follow those rules themselves.
Getting “pink pilled” seems innocent enough, with sourdough bread recipes and “get ready with me” videos. But as subtle messaging turns into explicit right-wing talking points, audiences are exposed to conservative ideology without it feeling “political.”
It’s working, too.
For years, young women have been seen as a reliable voting bloc for Democrats. But while young women still went blue in 2024, Joe Biden’s 35-point lead in 2020 dwindled to a 24-point lead for Kamala Harris.
More than ever, women need a community built on common-sense values. TroubleNation, Red Wine & Blue’s local advocacy groups, offer women a space to connect with others in their community.
With over 800 groups nationwide, there’s a place for everyone.
I’m all for the right to choose work & family, focusing on family, or, being single, AND for social safety net to ensure single parents and their children can survive decently so children can thrive.
Gen-X-er here raised by a stay-at-home mom for most of my childhood.
Even as a child, I saw that it was hard for my mom. Four children, one car, father who went out with co-workers while she had no outside space where she could be her own person.
Everyone knows marriages have their ups and downs, but when you’re an isolated, stay-at-home mom while your marriage is on a downward trajectory, it can be awful. No one talks about the head games, anxiety, depression women experience and are expected to keep going, rain or shine without vacation, sick days, or support.
I had school friends who had stay-at-home moms and a couple with abusive fathers. The father’s were often angry, blamed their wife for whatever they could think of. They were never satisfied, even though they had someone to cook, clean, take care of children, etc. It was terrifying to see that and really made an impression on me.
Men like them think the country became messed up because women became independent and went to work. They only blame others and never see how they contributed towards the problems.
My brother, who is very conservative, conveniently forgot seeing these same things, likely because he knew he himself would never get stuck in that situation and so he never bothered to imagine it or empathize.
Women’s independence became a necessity after existing in a world where we lacked rights, or freedom to gain higher education, or ability support ourselves and our family.
Men don’t want to understand this or at least consider that their children are more likely to survive in a society where woman can survive without a man. They fail to realize that in the event of their loss as the only means of a woman’s (and their children’s) survival, that women NOT being able to earn a living safely OR get support as a single mother means their children can starve and are more likely to be vulnerable to harm.
Instead, they elect people who choose to make it harder for single mothers by allowing day care to be unaffordable and social assistance to be difficult and of poor quality.
Wow!!!!! This has to be turned around!!!