Dating Feels So Much Harder After Trump’s Reelection (Even from Australia)

Let’s be real. Down here in Australia, you’d think we’d be safe from the fallout of Trump 2.0. But, somehow, his influence seeps in from across the Pacific like a bad cologne, lingering and affecting more than just global politics. Yes, even our dating pool isn’t immune. And let’s just say, it’s not making things any easier.

I used to tell myself, “No worries—there’s just a small corner of the dating pool that buys into that toxic anti-women rhetoric.” But after Trump’s reelection, it feels like that small corner suddenly got its own loudspeaker and a red carpet. I knew there were guys who thought a bit…let’s say…“traditionally.” What I didn’t expect was how many would feel emboldened to announce it, as if hating on “feminists” is a new way to bond over drinks.

It’s not even about politics, really. It’s about the shift in what’s become acceptable to say. So many men now wear their dated views with pride—anything from a casual rant on “the need to return to traditional values” to that classic chestnut, “I think women are just better suited to some things than others.” As if this is all just basic first-date chatter. My phone is practically buzzing with reminders to ask the new “Trump test” questions right away—anything to avoid a lecture on how “men are losing their voices.”

And, sure, Australia has its own unique brand of sexism and “she’ll be right” bravado. But watching how easily the Trump mindset travels here is a reminder that it’s all interconnected, especially when it comes to dating. It’s as if Trump gave his fans everywhere an excuse to ditch the filter.

For now, I’ll stick with a policy of patience, vigilance, and an internal Trump-meter that screens for red flags faster than my Wi-Fi drops out in a storm. Because somewhere out there is a guy who thinks equality isn’t just an “interesting debate.”