From the infamous Access Hollywood tape to far too many other examples, President Donald Trump has largely defined his time in the public spotlight with – among other things – deriding women. He’s followed up his personal sexist grossness with policy changes like eliminating federal funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides a whole lot of important health services including abortions. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) must have missed all of this – to give her the obviously far too generous benefit of the doubt – because this Sunday, she tweeted a message of support for International Women’s Day like she didn’t just miss opportunity after opportunity to hold the sexist-in-chief accountable.
Collins quite swiftly faced mockery for her post. She originally shared:
‘International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the countless contributions of women leaders in every field, from science to business to politics. It is also a time to recommit to advancing and empowering women and girls worldwide.’
She added a plug for legislation that she has introduced with Maryland Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, which she insisted could “help girls reach their full potential and become the next generation of decision makers.”
The Girls LEAD Act I introduced with @SenatorCardin would help girls reach their full potential and become the next generation of decision makers. By giving all girls the opportunity to achieve their dreams, all of us will have a brighter future. https://t.co/YwungCQzRR
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) March 8, 2020
That may be true, but as folks say – actions speak louder than words, and the actions of the administration that Collins has consistently supported with rare exceptions undercuts the ability of women and girls to actually reach that “full potential.” Besides Trump’s personal sexism, Trump nominated – and Collins supported – credibly alleged sexual predator Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Collins empowered the ardently conservative Kavanaugh – personal history and all – to make decisions about health policy that could affect millions of American women. So her words ring hollow.
As one commenter put it:
’Know what is really helpful to girls and women? Not putting RAPISTS on the Supreme Court.’
Know what is really helpful to girls and women? Not putting RAPISTS on the Supreme Court.
— The Fat Personal Trainer (@biggirlsworkout) March 8, 2020
It’s true. Meanwhile, when it comes to Trump personally and the way Collins has responded, she dubiously insisted at the conclusion of impeachment proceedings against him that he’d learned his “lesson” – but there’s no evidence of this. Collins may lose her re-election race this November in the wake of all this controversy.
Check out more Twitter reactions:
Keep aiding and abetting this guy.
Super work! pic.twitter.com/WiM2UQ5Nc0
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) March 8, 2020
As women we will all celebrate when you leave office and @SaraGideon takes your spot in the senate. A position you have squandered and used to let down millions of women. We will NEVER forget your #Kavanaugh vote.
— “Opened that fresh mouth of hers” (@Imthefitz) March 8, 2020
You voted to confirm a sexual predator to the Supreme Court but okay.
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) March 8, 2020
you voted to confirm to the supreme court a guy who was so blackout drunk all the way through prep school and college that he can’t remember how many women he assaulted. but cool story, Suze, do tell it again
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) March 8, 2020
You voted for Brett Kavanaugh. All 83 ethics complaints filed against Brett Kavanaugh during and after his confirmation to the Supreme Court will be dismissed bc as a SCOTUS justice he is now immuned, thanks to Justice Roberts. https://t.co/5RB6jtGmQn
https://t.co/4OrAbPF5VT— vlh (@coton_luver) March 8, 2020
I’m deeply concerned about the message it sends to women and girls on the subject of empowerment, when you abandon your supposed principles in order to protect a powerful man who abuses the power of the presidency for personal and political gain.
I’m very troubled by this, Susan. pic.twitter.com/fSmcDJRyqz— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) March 8, 2020
— #RIPGOP ™ 🏳️🌈 (@_ReaalAmerican_) March 8, 2020
Empowering woman by voting for a rapist to stay in our SCOTUS forever? We don’t respect you Susan.
— Vote Dem for the Planet (@Brasilmagic) March 8, 2020
Hey @SenatorCollins. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to remember that you enable Donald Trump, a serial sexual predator. #Maine #InternationalWomensDay https://t.co/GmUgMFFrly
— Nancy Levine 🌊Vote.org (@nancylevine) March 8, 2020
International woman’s day is a good time to remember that you sold every woman in this country under the bus by putting a rapist on the Supreme Court.
— Howard ✡ (@HowardA_Esq) March 8, 2020
Your approval of Kavanaugh will set women back a hundred years.
— Naomi Delzell (@WhiskersMcKitty) March 8, 2020
Today would be a good day to resign.
— Jay Arnold 🏳️🌈 (@JadedCreative) March 8, 2020
Tell that to the women Brett Kavanaugh assaulted
— Sarah Parcak (@indyfromspace) March 8, 2020
Are you going to talk to sexual abusers today and ask if they learned their lesson?
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) March 8, 2020
Collins: “I believe SOMETHING happened to Dr. Ford….”
Gaslighting weasel words. Obviously not enough to change her vote.
Collins failed women when it mattered most.
— Naegleria: Madame Defarge’s Knitting Needles (@fowerli) March 8, 2020
Susan Collins – let’s talk about women’s rights.https://t.co/lPyv1EH6qY
— Blue Bee (@Blue_Bee_pllntr) March 8, 2020
You’re a traitor to women.
— Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) March 8, 2020
I’m voting for @SaraGideon. You had many chances to stand up for women and girls, and you have been a disappointment
— Justin D. Martin (@Justin_D_Martin) March 8, 2020
I’m old enough to remember when you made the decision to support Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination.
— jen pal (@jennyrachelpal) March 8, 2020
