Trump supporters are demanding an FBI investigation into the latest TikTok trend, where women are reviving the spirit of Renaissance murderer Giulia Tofana in response to Donald Trump’s reelection.
Tofana, who devised a tasteless and odorloss poison made from arsenic, belladonna, and lead, is alleged to have killed up to 600 men with her concoction in the 17th century. According to Historia magazine, Tofana sold poison to women who wanted to free themselves from their abusive husbands. “Women who can divorce their husbands, I’m gonna need you to do it today,” one TikTok user posted last week. “Women who can’t divorce their husbands, look up Aqua Tofana.”
Another TikTok clip shows a user reacting to the misogynistic phrase, “Your body, my choice” by pouring an unknown substance into a drink and before switching to an image of the famous poisoner. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue said it had seen a 4,600% increase online in the phrases “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” since the election. Now, the acronym #Matga, or “Make Aqua Tofana Great Again,” an obvious riff on MAGA, is trending in response.
While the videos appear to be in all likelihood satirical, Republicans have tapped in the FBI. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X: “@FBI these are public death threats and must [be] investigated! These women are telling others how to poison and murder men because they are angry over the election. If you tracked down J6’ers, pro-lifers, parents angry at School boards, then you better go after these psychopaths!”
Another X user wrote: “Hi @FBI. What’s your position on women encouraging other women to poison their husbands or others who voted for Trump?”
Many appear to be taking the threats seriously, with one commenting he won’t be visiting a Starbucks anytime soon, out of fear a barista may poison his drink. Another writes: “Can we trust these women if they are working in the food service business to serve conservatives?”
“Listening with compassion that men are warning other men to cover their drinks because of ‘acqua tofana’,” posted one TikTok user over an audio of someone sniggering.
The irony is not lost.
