Predators in Charge: Politics, Power, and Prestige and Its Influence on Rape Culture
Pablo Picasso, Rape of the Sabine Women, Photo by Peter E from Flickr.
First, let's take a deep breath.
This piece will name many predators in power (whether politically or through money and fame). While I do not go into details of the crimes, I know just naming the person and what they were accused of can be triggering enough. Just gathering the pieces for this article was rough for me as a survivor of rape and sexual assaults so I wanted to name this for all of us. If you can, rage through this one with me and try not to skim—let us bear witness and think critically about the impacts of these very public atrocities on our legislation and our societies.
Survivors are often left behind in any think piece or conversation, so I want to start by honoring those who have bravely come forward and those who are unable or choose not to share their names. Thank you to Anita Hill, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Jill Harth, Katie Johnson, E. Jean Carroll, Alva Johnson. The hundreds of children who were violently abused and trafficked. All the Does who choose to remain anonymous and those who have been silenced. All those we have lost but who are not forgotten. We will continue to fight for our safety and bodily autonomy in your names.
Now, let’s get on the same page.
Rape and sexual assault: to force upon (or under threat of injury) a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent, who places the assailant in a position of trust or authority. These crimes are not about sex, they are about power and control. They have also been used as tools to further a marginalized community's oppression. (Please never use the term “non-consensual sex”; this is like saying “non-swimming” when you’re talking about drowning.)
Rape culture: living in a society where we are surrounded with images, language, laws, and other daily occurrences that validate and perpetuate, rape. It normalizes sexual violence and coercion and the thinking that the persistence of rape is “just the way things are.” (See also “boys will be boys”.)
Rape apologists: a broad term that includes: blaming survivors of rape and sexual assault; being reluctant to believe them and demanding “proof” (such as what they were wearing or drinking); making excuses for the offender (whether a friend or a celebrity) by shrugging it off, downplaying it, or insisting the perpetrator is a “good person”; rejecting the definition of consent and denying that certain behaviors are abusive; believing, incorrectly, that false allegations are common—and using this as a reason not to support or believe survivors; getting upset about allegations they assume are false and blaming the victim by suggesting ulterior motives like “fame chasing”; and holding a narrow or distorted view of what sexual violence is—for example, not believing it can happen in a relationship. It’s important to understand that rape apologists aren’t just people who are outwardly aggressive towards survivors, they’re also people who are apathetic or tolerant towards others perpetuating sexual violence.
Okay, let’s begin.
This country is founded on rape and sexual violence being used as a tool for oppression. From the founding fathers to the present day, it is disturbing to see how often power and predatory behavior go hand-in-hand and just how many of us excuse these behaviors of our politicians, influencers, and celebrities.
There is an insidious cycle with people in/with power, rapists, rape apologists, and rape culture. Through problematic books, movies, and other media we are often taught a singular view of what rape is and what it looks like (e.g. a single, white, affluent woman raped by a lone, crazed stranger who broke into her home, and police who bravely seek justice). In addition, sexual and reproductive health education, including conversations on what consent is or what an abusive relationship is, is severely lacking. Throughout history we have continuously seen people in power use that power to excuse rapists like: this New Jersey judge who said the rapist came from “a good family” and his test scores were too high for him to be tried in court as an adult; or a judge’s claim about a victim who “didn’t behave like a victim”.
While we are constantly demanding proof that a victim was “really” raped or claiming that their sexual assault was “minor” and “happens to everyone” especially when it comes to our “favorite” celebrity or a close friend. We also have people who claim that if you are “legitimately raped,” your body will shut down any pregnancy—using this as a reason to deny abortions even in cases of rape—or who promote other rape myths.
Graffiti artists and Metro Manila student councils, via Orange Magazine.
All of this creates a culture where people are apathetic or tolerant of rapists and other sexual predators or worse we have normalized rape and uplifted rapists while discrediting and invalidating survivors. This is why it can feel like a massive disconnect for some of us to see the people supporting and celebrating current abusers in office—while we’re reckoning with the harm done, others are brushing it off and praising abusers as “great guys,” which, in rape apologist minds, minimizes or negates their violent behavior.
Then rape apologists and rapists in charge further harm survivors by showing other perpetrators both how much they can get away with and how little it “tarnishes” their reputation. While also giving them the opportunities to exert more power and control on all of our bodies—whether that’s picking judges who don’t believe that you can be raped in a relationship to lawmakers who think incest that leads to a child can be a blessing, and more.
Over the last 55 years, at least 25 women have publicly accused our Predator in Chief of rape and sexual assault, in addition to being known for his misogynistic views and behavior. As Trump was canvassing for his second term, he was also found liable for sexual abuse and rape against Jean E. Carroll. And it’s not just him: it’s two Supreme Court justices, congressmen, mayors, senators, and more. And then there are their defenders and supporters who don’t just excuse the behavior, but also seem to relish in the fact that they, too, are violent offenders (with the exception that more of them get caught and are less protected). Just think of all the major donors associated with Epstein who have funded political campaigns. Let alone the fact that Epstein is friends with and has invited these people to his “parties,” including Trump, Alexander Acosta, Prince Andrew, and more. According to the National Women’s Defense League, there were 400 allegations of sexual harassment against 145 sitting state lawmakers between 2013 and 2024. The number is likely significantly higher, as many may choose not to share or come forward.
While a lot of the recent focus has been on both Trump, the justices, and Matt Gaetz, the sheer number of other perpetrators and their despicable acts is overwhelming.
To highlight how this vicious cycle of rape culture to rapists in power continues, let’s take a look at January to March 2025 current or former known predator politicians:
Texas megachurch pastor and former spiritual advisor to Trump, Robert Morriss, indicted for rape of a child 12 years of age. He was a huge part of promoting and legitimizing Trump. (In 2017, Governor Greg Abbott enlisted his support for his anti-trans bathroom bill.)
Right-wing mayor of Coldstream Kentucky, John Kevin Taylor, raped a child under 12 years of age.
North Dakota republican senator Ray Holmberg traveled to Prague to rape children.
Former New York Councilman Dan Halloran was arrested for possession of images of child sexual abuse.
Former Minnesota lawmaker Justin Eichorn, who introduced the “Trump Derangement Syndrome” bill jailed on the same day as the vote for soliciting a child.
Former Minnesota GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan resigned over her close ties to child sex trafficker and GOP donor Anton Lazzaro. Now she is running for Justin Eichron’s seat.
Former legislative candidate and co-owner of a mental health clinic serving children and teens, Ryan Jenks, was arrested for sexually abusing children under 16 years of age.
Former Zillah mayor Gary Clark charged with multiple counts of raping children.
Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, accused of sexual assault against multiple women in 2020, recently announced his run for NYC mayor.
(It’s okay to want to punch something here.)
In tandem, we see that many of the fanatic Trump supporters, who likely relish the fact that he’s “overcome” an obscene number of rape and sexual assault charges. Whether they are minor players or influencers who shaped his rise to power, their ideals are rooted in white supremacy and sexual violence:
Rapist, human trafficker, and misogynist Andrew Tate backed by Trump flies to the US immediately after the travel ban is lifted. One woman from the recent UK civil claim describes Tate pointing a gun in her face and saying, “you’re going to do as I say or there’ll be hell to pay.”
January 6th rioter pardoned by Trump, David Daniel, charged with sexually assaulting a child and possessing child sexual abuse material.
January 6th rioter pardoned by Trump, Andrew Taake, was arrested on an outstanding child sex crimes charge.
White supremacist, Texas Aryan Brotherhood Member Cody McCollom sentenced to 60 years in prison for grooming, drugging, and raping a child.
MAGA church volunteer Kevin Hurley arrested for sexually abusing a child.
After meeting Trump, Connor McGregor who is accused of rape and sexual assault, announces his run for President of Ireland.
Conservative author and teacher Aaron Gleason, who accused Drag Queens of “grooming,” was charged with sexually abusing a child under 12 years of age.
Former youth pastor Zachary Radcliff was charged with more than 30 felonies for sexually abusing children.
MAGA influencer and Fox News guest Ricci Wynne was arrested for sex trafficking and producing child sexual abuse images.
Ex-NFL player Le’Veon Bell, who spoke at a Trump rally, was charged with sexually abusing a child from a young age to adulthood.
In the newest news, there is yet another clear example of people in power protecting predators, if not predators themselves. Notably, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV allowed Father James Ray, a priest accused of sexually abusing minors, to live in a monastery near a Catholic elementary school—without notifying the school.
(Primal screams and deep breaths are encouraged.)
So when we have predators deciding our laws and giving them the ability to govern and police our bodies and also have people who champion these predators, we continue to perpetuate and normalize rape culture and sexual violence. Excusing or ignoring this type of behavior seeps into the way we think and act in fucking terrible ways.
We know that overturning Roe v. Wade was a precursor to further restrictions on our bodily autonomy. We see this showing up not just with our right to safe and legal abortions but also our rights to due process, safe housing, and access to food. It’s the denial of life-saving, gender-affirming care; criminalizing miscarriages; dismantling essential services for our most vulnerable populations… And we could go on and on. One by one, we’re losing our freedoms.
As a survivor of rape and multiple sexual assaults, this violent loss is an unfortunately familiar feeling for me. The ripping away of my ability to say no, the violence upon my body without my consent, the violation of my body and sense of self and the long-term mental and physical impacts this violence has, the fear of seeking care in a culture that doesn’t support you, the shame and anger of living in a society where people find ways to blame you for what your experience is. Then there is an added feeling of gaslighting when you see both how offenders are being put into power and how much they are celebrated.
Recently a game called “No Mercy,” which glorified rape and incest, was pulled due to backlash, although I can still find many many links to access it. The fact that this exists and there is a demand for it is pretty telling (similar to recent discovery of the Telegram Rape Chat Groups with over 70,000 global members). This is happening at the same time as Trump banned words from government agencies like “gender based violence”, “male-dominated”, “sex”, “trauma”, “vulnerable”, and “women”. We, the people, made allowances for a predator to take charge, and he and his supporters have made swift efforts to reduce our abilities in understanding sexual violence and supporting survivors of sexual violence.
While the fanatic right is calling Drag Queens “groomers” and “pedophiles,” four Americans were arrested in connection to a global cabal of neo-nazi pedophiles (yes, that’s a real thing). While anti-trans bathroom bills are being revived, a man entered a woman’s bathroom and accused a cis woman, who was then fired, of being trans. For child abuse prevention month, the White House’s official statement dedicated four of the six paragraphs to write about “the most prevalent forms of child abuse facing our country today is the sinister threat to gender ideology”—not only invalidating the real trauma that so many child abuse survivors like myself have experienced, but completely conflating two issues. And the horrific irony of someone talking about “transgender ideology” related to child abuse when that very same person has been accused of child abuse and associates with known child abusers.
While Trump states that he will be the “fertilization president” for Women’s History Month (didn’t we delete this month already, right, Google?) and promises “tremendous goodies” for women, his office is actively dismantling resources and research for reproductive health care and benefits that support pregnant people and parents. Trump says that violent U.S. Citizens should be sent to El Salvador gulags, and yet his BFFs, who are violent predators, remain safe and retain access to their power and privilege. Meanwhile, in NYC, Queens NYPD cops started a “crackdown” on sex workers: two cops turned off their body cams, robbed a woman of her keys, came back later, used her key to get into her apartment, and then robbed and assaulted her. So, who exactly is the problem here?
Every action has consequences, and so does inaction. As hard as it might be to digest and read, share these stories. Do not let these survivors be forgotten as they watch their abusers be protected and applauded. Bear witness. Help others connect the dots between people’s actions and the policies and cultures that this creates. Do not excuse behavior because it’s your favorite celebrity or someone you have admired since childhood. Don’t you dare become a rape apologist for certain people.
And a reminder: not all of us come forward and name our abusers. We carry the weight of the violence and its aftermath already. We have seen that we won’t be believed or listened to, or cared for. Some may stay silent due to fear or intimidation. Some may stay silent because it’s just not what is right for them and their lives. But trust me, we’re watching how you react (or not) to every piece of news about predators in power. We watch what behaviors you excuse or generalize. You may not bear witness to us and our stories, but we sure as hell are witnessing your action or inaction. For any survivors that read this, I love you. I write this for the Anitas, Christines, and you and me, and all of us.