He said what???!
Trump is facing fierce criticism after suggesting that “having a little fight with a wife” should not be considered a crime, a remark that women’s rights advocates, lawmakers, and legal experts say trivializes domestic abuse and undermines decades of progress in addressing violence in the home.
Speaking at a campaign-style event over the weekend, Trump downplayed the seriousness of domestic disputes, implying that certain altercations between spouses should not fall under the criminal justice system. “A husband and wife can have a little fight, and now suddenly they want to call it a crime,” he said. “That’s not how it should work.”
The comments ignited immediate backlash. Advocacy organizations warned that such rhetoric could embolden abusers and roll back protections for victims. “There is no such thing as a harmless fight when it involves violence or coercion,” said Ruth Glenn, CEO of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “His words send a dangerous message that abuse is excusable.”
Democrats and some Republicans alike condemned the statement. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) called it “a slap in the face to survivors everywhere,” while Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said, “Domestic violence devastates families and communities. It is not something to minimize.”
Legal experts also noted that domestic violence laws are designed not only to punish, but to protect. “The justice system recognizes the pattern and escalation that can come from so-called ‘little fights,’” said Professor Angela Onwuachi-Willig, a family law scholar. “To dismiss them is to ignore the reality of how abuse operates.”
Trump’s remark comes as polls show him trying to shore up support among suburban voters, especially women—a group that has increasingly distanced itself from him in recent elections. Critics argue that his comments only deepen that divide.
Meanwhile, survivors of domestic abuse shared their stories online, pushing back against Trump’s minimization of their experiences. Many emphasized that what starts as “a little fight” can escalate into lifelong trauma—or worse.
“The message is clear,” Glenn added. “Domestic violence is a crime. It always has been, and it always will be.”