THE LEORA LETTER
May 14, 2024
Slut-shaming matters because when people are dismissed as sluts, hoes, and thots, they are denied care and compassion as human beings and in a variety of situations, including when they are sexually harassed, sexually assaulted, victimized by image-based sexual abuse ("revenge porn" and "deepfakes"), and need an abortion.
Stormy Daniels is an adult film actress and director often described as a "porn star." In the hush-money criminal trial currently underway, is her profession relevant? No.
Daniels is a hero to many for standing up to Trump, yet others trash her. In the documentary about her life, she shares some of the messages she has received from random people:
“Stormy, you’re a lying slag.”
“Whore you will die and be forgotten.”
“You’re nothing but a fat hillbilly. Trump would never touch you. Stop lying before I’m forced to shut you up myself."
“You’re going to die, bitch.”
Daniels deserves to be called whatever she wants, and she is proud to be described as a porn star. But in our slut-shaming culture, in which violence toward women is a serious threat, should journalists use this language?
I’m not sure. When reporters covering the trial identify her by her profession, audiences are conditioned to discredit her, as I told Politico. Given that clearly there are unhinged people who wish to harm her physically, even murder her, the language we use to describe her is not a trivial matter.
How about if journalists covering the trial call her… “an actress and director”?
Besides, it is ironic that Daniels is positioned in the trial coverage first and foremost as a sex worker—yet according to her testimony, he is the one who behaved promiscuously, and in a predatory manner. She agreed to meet Trump at his hotel suite on the advice of her publicist, with the understanding that they would then go out to dinner. He then disrobed while she was in the bathroom and even suggested that she invite a friend for a three-way sexual encounter.
To better reflect what transpired, news outlets should stop referring to Daniels as a “porn star” and instead refer to Trump as “a sexual predator.”
Key takeaway: Daniels deserves praise, not insults. She is the one person among the countless mistreated by Trump who has been powerful enough to shine a light on his corruption.
What do you think? Email me and share your thoughts.
“Boys will be boys, and girls will be sluts.” — Leora Tanenbaum
Want to learn the difference between a compliment and a creepy comment? Check out my useful decoder.