Donald Trump, in a 1998 interview with Howard Stern, made controversial remarks comparing the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases to the Vietnam War. He joked about deserving the Congressional Medal of Honor for navigating the dating scene. This article examines these comments in the context of other controversial statements Trump made regarding women and sexuality.
Trump’s 1998 Interview with Howard Stern: A Closer Look
Trump’s conversation with Stern centered on sex, relationships, and the Miss Universe pageant. When asked about his sexual history, Trump responded evasively, claiming he’d be “dead” from diseases if the rumors were true. He then stated that women are “more sexually aggressive than men,” especially married women.
The discussion turned to sexually transmitted diseases, with Stern asking Trump about precautions. Trump acknowledged the risks but admitted that sometimes “your own chemicals take over.” He then made the controversial comparison: “They say that more people were killed by women in this act than killed in Vietnam.” Stern agreed, even suggesting Trump was “braver than any Vietnam vet.” Trump responded by joking about receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. He later reiterated the Vietnam comparison, describing the dating scene as “very, very dangerous” and his own behavior as “very, very careful.” 
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Objectification of Women in the Miss Universe Pageant
In the same interview, Trump discussed the Miss Universe pageant, emphasizing beauty over intelligence or talent. He boasted about the contestants wearing revealing attire, contrasting it with the “politically correct” Miss America pageant. He stated that Miss Universe contestants were more beautiful than Miss America contestants. Stern and co-host Robin Quivers echoed these sentiments, focusing on physical appearance and objectifying the women. Trump explicitly stated the pageant judged contestants solely on beauty: “We don’t base it on talent, we don’t base it on brains…we base it on one thing: beauty.”
Renewed Scrutiny of Trump’s Comments on Women
These remarks from 1998 resurfaced during the 2016 presidential campaign, alongside the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape where Trump bragged about groping women. While Trump dismissed the “Access Hollywood” comments as “locker room talk,” the 1998 interview further highlighted his history of making demeaning and objectifying statements about women. The juxtaposition of his Vietnam War analogy with his objectification of women in the Miss Universe pageant painted a concerning picture for many voters.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s 1998 interview with Howard Stern revealed controversial views on women and sexuality. His comparison of sexual encounters to the Vietnam War, coupled with his objectification of beauty pageant contestants, drew widespread criticism. These remarks, alongside other instances of controversial behavior, contributed to ongoing debates about his character and fitness for office. The 1998 interview serves as a reminder of the power of language and the importance of holding public figures accountable for their words.
