IWMF Condemns President Trump’s Verbal Attacks on Women Journalists

By Regina Pasipanodya

The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as a “pattern of targeting and harassment” by United States President Donald Trump against women journalists.

The organization expressed alarm over at least five recent incidents in which the president allegedly used sexist language and demeaning remarks toward female reporters.

Among those named in the IWMF’s statement are Kaitlan Collins of CNN, Catherine Lucy of Bloomberg, Nancy Cordes of CBS, and Rachel Scott and Mary Bruce of ABC.

The foundation argues that these verbal attacks are not isolated outbursts but part of a broader effort to undermine press freedom and silence critical inquiry.

“These attacks are attempts to normalize the degradation of the press,” the IWMF stated, “diminishing the role of journalists and press freedom as the fourth estate of U.S. democracy.”

The organization warned that such rhetoric has far-reaching consequences beyond the press room.

According to the IWMF, women journalists often face a surge in online abuse including doxxing and threats following public attacks, which can escalate into real-world safety risks and long-term professional harm.

Recent studies cited by the IWMF reveal that over 40% of women journalists, activists, and human rights defenders have experienced offline violence directly linked to online harassment.

The foundation emphasized that this climate of hostility not only endangers individuals but also threatens the integrity of democratic discourse.

Calling for collective action, the IWMF urged news organizations to implement robust support systems for journalists facing targeted abuse.

Italso appealed to policymakers, press freedom advocates, and the public to stand in solidarity with women in the media.

“These attacks affect us all,” the statement concluded. “We must remain vigilant and united in defending the rights and safety of journalists everywhere.”

The IWMF, a global leader in advancing the rights of women in media, reaffirmed its commitment to confronting misogyny and protecting press freedom in the face of escalating threats.