Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election is resonating far beyond American borders, particularly within the online “manosphere” across Asia, Al Jazeera reports.
Analysts are pointing to the significant influence of this male-dominated online community in amplifying Trump’s appeal.
The celebration of Trump’s win in these online spaces comes amid the concerns of many governments in Asia who face potential disruption under his “America First” policies. Countries like South Korea and the Philippines, long-standing US allies reliant on American defense guarantees, could see these guarantees significantly weakened under a Trump administration. Trump has repeatedly characterized these alliances as unfair deals for American taxpayers.
In China, where a widening gender gap mirrors Western trends, prominent influencers are expressing admiration for Trump. Zhtttyzhttty, a Weibo influencer with a large following, praised Trump’s “unflinching” approach to conflict. Similarly, ultranationalist blogger Sima Nan, despite his frequent criticism of the US, welcomed the win, highlighting Trump’s “transactional mentality” as a positive attribute. Online forums frequented by young Chinese men have also seen a surge of pro-Trump sentiment. Trump secured 49 percent of the male 18-29 vote in the US election.
South Korea presents a parallel phenomenon. Jang Min-seo, who runs the RedPillKorea YouTube channel—a platform echoing the views of controversial influencer Andrew Tate — celebrated Trump’s victory, viewing it as a win for freedom of speech and male assertiveness. Jang drew a stark contrast between Trump and President Joe Biden, whom he characterized as ineffective.
