In a controversial online trend ‘MATGA’ movement, some women have been creating videos in which they imagine poisoning men as a form of protest against anticipated restrictions on abortion rights under a potential second term for Donald Trump.
These videos, widely shared on platforms like TikTok and X, show young women theatrically adding “poison” to drinks or displaying rings that allegedly hold toxins, all while grinning or using dark humor to make their point.
The trend has even sparked a tagline, “Make Aqua Tofana Great Again” (or “MATGA”), drawing both from Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan and the story of Giulia Tofana, a 17th-century Italian woman famous for creating a lethal poison called “Aqua Tofana.”
Tofana reportedly provided her poisonous mixture to women wishing to escape abusive marriages, ultimately resulting in the deaths of more than 600 men.
HOLY SH*T, Karens lost their fvcking minds over Trump’s win and launched MATGA—short for Make Aqua Tofana Great Again.
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) November 10, 2024
Aqua Tofana was a powerful poison in 17th-century Sicily, sold by women to other women seeking to escape abusive relationships by discreetly poisoning their… pic.twitter.com/KvHK8ZXWz4
Her concoction, a blend of substances like arsenic and belladonna, was undetectable in food and drink, making her one of history’s most infamous killers.
One popular video within the MATGA trend features a young woman with brightly colored hair and a dramatic look, making a throat-slashing gesture while the text “Aqua Tofana isn’t that hard to make” appears on the screen.
In the background, viewers hear the lyrics of Eminem’s “Venom,” specifically, “This f–king world better prepare to get laced because they’re gonna taste my venom.”
This sinister theme is echoed in numerous similar clips, many of which showcase women brandishing “poison rings,” rings with a small compartment designed to hold a toxic substance.
The MATGA videos play on dark humor, but some observers are alarmed by the trend, cautioning participants about the potential legal consequences.
One TikTok user issued a warning, noting that these videos could be used against the creators. “You do know those videos can be used against you, right?” her video reads, cautioning that while the 1600s might have concealed such actions, advancements in forensic science in 2024 make poison detection far easier.
Liberal women across social media have been responding to Trump’s election victory in a variety of ways, with the MATGA movement trend being just one example.
Other forms of protest include publicized decisions to avoid pregnancy during Trump’s term, staging “sex strikes,” and even shaving their heads as symbolic gestures.
The resistance movement reflects frustration with Trump’s past actions related to abortion rights.
During his first term, Trump helped secure a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that had protected abortion rights at the federal level.
The overturning of Roe gave individual states the authority to set their own abortion policies, leading to restrictions in many regions.
Although Trump has indicated he would veto a federal abortion ban, activists fear his second term could further encourage conservative legislation limiting reproductive rights.
Ironically, despite concerns, the rate of abortions in the U.S. has reportedly increased since the Roe reversal, even in states with restrictive laws.
This online trend of poison-themed videos serves as a form of venting, albeit one that some find concerning.
As discontent grows, these creative protests highlight the way social media has become a platform for people to voice anxieties over the shifting political landscape, particularly regarding reproductive rights.
While some argue that these videos are harmless expressions of frustration, others warn that such dark humor may cross a line, suggesting it may backfire and create legal or personal repercussions.
The MATGA movement, though limited in scope, illustrates the intensity of emotions surrounding the 2024 election and the uncertain future of abortion rights in America.
As the national debate continues, these unusual forms of protest reflect the lengths to which some are willing to go to make their voices heard.