• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
MPWMost Powerful Women

Trump’s Digital Director Says Forecasting the Election Outcome Is ‘Like Predicting Your Wife’s Mood’

Kristen Bellstrom
By
Kristen Bellstrom
Kristen Bellstrom
Down Arrow Button Icon
Kristen Bellstrom
By
Kristen Bellstrom
Kristen Bellstrom
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 7, 2016, 12:52 PM ET
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a campaign event in Eau Claire
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a campaign event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin U.S. November 1, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri - RTX2RG2OCarlo Allegri—Reuters

Brad Parscale, the digital director of Donald Trump’s campaign, could have picked a lot of different metaphors to describe the uncertainty of the 2016 election. Here’s the one he chose:

“It’s like predicting your wife’s mood,” said Parscale. “You have no idea what you’re going to get until you get home.”

He made the comparison in a recent Bloomberg Businessweek article focused on Trump’s chances of winning Florida.

It was an interesting choice of words for an official representing a candidate who, on many occasions, has been accused of misogyny. Most recently, Trump faced multiple allegations of sexual assault (which he has denied) and backlash over his remarks on the Access Hollywood tape. The Republican nominee’s entire candidacy has been marked by repeated charges of sexism over his comments about women’s looks, abortion, sexual harassment, and other subjects.

While Parscale’s quote was tucked at the very end of the Businessweek article, that didn’t stop readers from spotting it. Twitter users were quick to mock the retrograde nature of his comments—and to point out the questionable strategy of offending women voters less than 48 hours before election day:

What if your wife gets home after you because it's not 1955? https://t.co/4uueS6t7BE

— Geoffrey Skelley (@geoffreyvs) November 7, 2016

https://twitter.com/PeterGleick/status/795648394622472192

The metaphor of someone who thinks his wife's mood is some kind of mystery box, rather than a set of rational reactions. https://t.co/ZLAlB0D7HR

— Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) November 7, 2016

How to insult an entire voting bloc:Trump surrogate compares unpredictability of voter turnout to ‘your wife’s mood’ https://t.co/QFEJg8kXhE

— Rachel Nagler (@rachel_nagler) November 7, 2016

Sign up: Click here to subscribe to the Broadsheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter on the world’s most powerful women.

About the Author
Kristen Bellstrom
By Kristen Bellstrom
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.