On August 28, 2024, Anderson Cooper, the renowned CNN anchor, aired a special segment on his show to address a recent controversy involving former President Donald Trump. Cooper’s segment aimed to highlight a pattern of behavior he believes is consistent with Trump’s history. This time, the issue at hand was a vulgar comment Trump made about Vice President Kamala Harris during a rally in Florida on August 25, 2024.
During the rally, Trump referred to Vice President Harris in derogatory terms, questioning her competence and using language that many found offensive. This comment quickly sparked outrage among political leaders, women’s rights organizations, and many citizens across the country. Cooper, known for his incisive journalism, decided to respond to the controversy by compiling a “supercut” of past remarks made by Trump about women.
In the opening of his segment, Cooper explained the purpose of the supercut. He stated, “We believe it’s important to show that this recent comment is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader pattern that has been evident for years.” Cooper then played the supercut, which lasted nearly three minutes, showing various clips of Trump making offensive remarks about women over the years.
The video started with one of Trump’s most infamous moments: the Access Hollywood tape from 2005. In this recording, Trump is heard boasting about groping women without their consent. “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” Trump said in the recording. The tape, which became public during the 2016 presidential campaign, caused widespread outrage but did not prevent Trump from winning the election.
Cooper’s supercut also included comments Trump made about female journalists. For instance, in 2015, during a Republican primary debate, Trump made a derogatory comment about then-Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly. “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever,” Trump said, in what many saw as an attempt to dismiss Kelly’s tough questioning as a result of her gender.
Another clip showed Trump insulting Rosie O’Donnell, a comedian and television personality, during the first Republican primary debate in 2015. Trump said, “Rosie O’Donnell, I said very tough things to her, and I think everybody would agree that she deserves it.” His remarks were met with laughter from the audience at the time, but Cooper used the clip to illustrate Trump’s pattern of attacking women who criticize him.
In addition to these incidents, the supercut featured Trump’s comments on women’s appearances. In one clip, Trump is seen discussing former Miss Universe winner Alicia Machado in 2016. He referred to her as “Miss Piggy” and “Miss Housekeeping” due to her weight gain and Hispanic heritage. Machado later spoke out against Trump’s treatment of her, saying that his comments had caused her lasting emotional harm.
As the supercut ended, Cooper turned back to the camera and addressed his audience. “These are just a few examples,” he said. “What we’ve shown tonight is a pattern that spans years. This is not just about politics; it’s about the way women are treated and talked about by someone who has held the highest office in the land.”
Cooper also noted the significance of Trump’s latest comment about Vice President Harris. He pointed out that Harris is not only the first female vice president of the United States but also the first woman of color to hold the position. “When Trump makes these kinds of remarks, it’s not just an attack on one person; it’s an attack on all women, especially those who have broken barriers and achieved historic milestones,” Cooper said.
The segment concluded with Cooper urging viewers to consider the broader implications of such language in public discourse. He stressed the importance of holding leaders accountable for their words and actions. Cooper’s segment was widely shared on social media, with many praising him for bringing attention to a critical issue. However, Trump’s supporters dismissed it as another attempt by the media to discredit him.
In the days following the airing of Cooper’s segment, the controversy continued to dominate headlines. Many public figures, including politicians and activists, weighed in on the issue. While some defended Trump, arguing that his comments were taken out of context, others expressed concern over the lasting impact of such rhetoric on society. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the conversation around how women are treated in public life is far from over.
