The victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election was a defining moment in modern political history. However, alongside the numerous political shifts that followed, the election of Trump brought to the forefront a number of societal concerns, especially around issues related to women’s rights, bodily autonomy, and the growing rhetoric of misogyny.
In the wake of Trump’s victory, women across the globe found themselves grappling with fears over the erosion of their rights, especially the right to make choices about their own bodies. This fear has manifest in a number of online movements and viral trends, with one of the most alarming being the MATGA (Make Aqua Tofana Great Again) trend.
This dangerous trend, which promotes the glorification of poisoning men, has raised eyebrows and sparked widespread debate, both for its contents and for the underlying social issues it highlights.
The MATGA Movement: A Dark Reaction to Political Backlash
The MATGA trend first gained traction on platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), where users, primarily women, began posting videos that mockingly depicted them adding substances to men’s drinks. The videos were often done with a sense of humor, accompanied by catchy music and comedic commentary.
However, the underlying message was not lost on viewers. These videos were seen as a direct response to the growing misogynistic rhetoric surrounding Trump’s rise to power. It was a way for women to express their frustration and anger at the political climate they felt was being shaped by the new administration and the resurgence of anti-abortion laws.
The name “MATGA” is a pointed parody of Trump’s famous slogan “Make America Great Again” (MAGA), but with a dark twist. In this case, the acronym MATGA stands for “Make Aqua Tofana Great Again.” Aqua Tofana refers to a notorious poison used by women in 17th-century Italy to kill abusive husbands.
This poison, which was tasteless and easily slipped into drinks, was sold by Giulia Tofana, a woman who made a name for herself by providing women with a means of escaping abusive marriages.
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While Tofana’s poison was largely considered a tool for self-preservation in extreme cases of domestic violence, the MATGA trend seems to use it as a symbol for retaliation against perceived patriarchal oppression.
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The inclusion of Aqua Tofana in the MATGA trend is a chilling allusion to the violent history of gender relations and the ways in which women throughout history have been forced to find dark and desperate means of self-defense in the face of unchecked male power.
The women behind the MATGA videos are not necessarily advocating for actual poisoning but are using the reference to Aqua Tofana as a metaphor for the anger and powerlessness many women feel in the face of escalating misogyny, particularly in the context of political changes following Trump’s victory.
The Underlying Fear of Abortion Rights and Bodily Autonomy
A core aspect of the MATGA movement is the fear surrounding the potential loss of bodily autonomy, particularly for women’s reproductive rights. During Trump’s presidency, the administration made significant strides in restricting access to abortion and reproductive healthcare, which led to widespread anxiety and anger among women and pro-choice advocates.
This fear was amplified by Trump’s repeated statements against abortion and his support for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.
For many women, Trump’s rise to power symbolized a direct attack on their ability to make decisions about their own bodies. As debates surrounding reproductive rights grew, so did the number of women who began questioning whether their bodies would remain their own in a society that seemed increasingly hostile toward their autonomy.
The MATGA trend, though exaggerated and darkly satirical, speaks to this fear. Women, many of whom felt politically and socially disempowered, used this trend as a way of regaining a sense of agency, albeit through a controversial and dangerous lens.
At its core, the MATGA movement is an expression of frustration with the systemic gender inequality that persists in many parts of the world, especially in the United States. The viral videos mocking the poisoning of men reflect a moment of extreme social tension where women are publicly challenging a political and cultural climate that they feel undermines their rights.
The movement calls attention to the emotional and psychological toll that these ongoing battles for bodily autonomy have on women, pushing them to express themselves in ways that are alarming, provocative, and sometimes dangerous.
The Dangers of Glorifying Violence and Poisoning
While the MATGA movement may have started as a way for women to vent their frustration in a political climate that seemed to suppress their rights, it has quickly become a topic of concern for several reasons. At its core, the trend glorifies poisoning as a form of resistance and revenge.
This not only trivializes the very real harm caused by poison but also raises questions about the ethics of using such an extreme act as a form of political protest.
Several women who participated in the MATGA trend took to TikTok to warn others about the dangers of making these videos, reminding them that poison is still a dangerous substance, and that such content could have serious legal consequences.
Poisoning, while it may have been used by women in the past as a desperate act of self-preservation, is still a violent crime with far-reaching consequences. Poison rings, which were advertised in some of the viral videos, are real products that can be purchased online, further adding to the disturbing nature of the movement.
Additionally, the internet has a long memory. These videos, which may have started as a form of catharsis for women who felt unheard or powerless, could eventually be used against those who created them.
Legal repercussions could follow for women who are caught up in this dangerous trend, as authorities may view these videos as promoting violence or as evidence of premeditation.
The use of a historical poison like Aqua Tofana may also be seen as romanticizing a dark period of history, where women were driven to extreme measures to defend themselves.
While the MATGA trend may speak to the anger and frustration that many women feel in the current political climate, it also raises important ethical and legal questions. Is it acceptable to use violent imagery as a form of protest, even if it is meant to be satirical or humorous? Can society condone the use of violent language and gestures in political discourse, especially when they involve harm to others?
The MATGA movement, while undeniably alarming, highlights the deep frustration and anger that many women feel in the face of political and social setbacks. It is a response to the fear that women’s rights, particularly reproductive rights, are being slowly stripped away, and to the pervasive misogynistic rhetoric that has gained traction in some circles.
However, while the movement may have started as a form of protest, it quickly crosses a line into dangerous territory by glorifying violence and poisoning as forms of resistance.
As we move forward, it is crucial to recognize the underlying issues that fuel movements like MATGA—the systemic oppression of women and the erosion of their rights—and to address them in a way that promotes constructive change.
Rather than resorting to violence, both in thought and in action, society must come together to fight for gender equality, bodily autonomy, and respect for all individuals. Only through dialogue, advocacy, and political activism can we hope to create a future where movements like MATGA are no longer necessary.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏