In the past, Hollywood was plagued by sexism, and writers were subjected to ludicrous requests by male executives who wanted women characters to conform to their twisted ideals. However, similar patterns seem to have emerged in the current political climate, with Ron DeSantis receiving criticisms for his unlikeable persona. In stark contrast to former President Trump who elicited reactions ranging from laughter to fascination from his supporters, DeSantis comes off as mean-spirited and petty, attacking vulnerable groups such as immigrants, gays, and women. This strategy may have worked for him in the past, but as a presidential aspirant, DeSantis is under more scrutiny, and his rigid stance on issues such as abortion is not endearing to Republican mega-donors like Ken Langone. Even within his party, some politicians like Greg Steube have supported Trump over DeSantis, citing a lack of communication from the governor’s office. While the focus on likability has been criticized for being sexist when discussing women candidates, DeSantis’s personality may very well ruin his chances of making it to the White House.
