Politics

Donald Trump Jr.'s Solution to Women Harassed at Work Should Infuriate You

October 14th 2016

When it comes to making suggestions for women in the workplace, it's becoming clear that the Trump family is perhaps not the family you should turn to for sound advice.

Between claims of harassment against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in his capacity as a TV host and beauty pageant owner, and issues with Ivanka Trump's maternity leave plan, which has been criticized for being inadequate for mothers and outright absent for fathers or parents of adopted children, you'd think that would be enough, but it appears another Trump — Donald Jr. — also has some shoddy advice on women and work.

"... I’m sure I’ll get myself in trouble one of these days."

BuzzFeed dug up audio from a 2013 interview with Donald Trump Jr. on The Opie and Anthony Show, in which Trump Jr. suggested that the problem with sexual harassment in the workplace wasn't the men who harassed women, but how the women "handle" it.

His solution for those women? "Maybe teach kindergarten [instead]." His full quote, as transcribed by Jezebel:

"I’m of that mindset — and I’ll get into trouble, I’m sure I’ll get myself in trouble one of these days. If you can’t handle some of the basic stuff that’s become a problem in the workforce today, then you don’t belong in the workforce. Like, you should go maybe teach kindergarten. I think it’s a respectable position.

You can’t be negotiating billion-dollar deals if you can’t handle, like, you know. But listen — there’s a place where you have to draw the line — but today the stuff you get in trouble for, I wouldn’t even think about—"

Trump Jr.'s comments are dangerous because they perpetuate the idea that women are responsible for their own harassment, which is a large part of rape culture.

It's also a terrible notion to suggest that such harassment is "basic stuff" that women should have to accept at work. The burden should be on men not to harass, not on women to accept the harassment or "maybe teach kindergarten."

ATTN: has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment on Donald Trump Jr.'s statement. We will update this story when we get a response.

[h/t Jezebel]

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