This book investigates how gender norms and the rhetoric of masculinity influenced the outcomes and campaign strategies of the 2016 United States presidential and congressional elections. Robert G. Boatright and Valerie Sperling utilize political science frameworks to analyze the intersection of gendered political messaging and the specific impact of Donald Trump's candidacy on down-ballot races. By examining campaign advertisements and election results, the authors argue that the 2016 cycle fundamentally altered the role of gender in American political discourse.

Experts in political science identify this work as a significant contribution to the study of gendered political communication and campaign strategy. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which makes it a valuable resource for students and researchers focusing on the 2016 electoral landscape.