Revenge Porn As Opposition Research: A Disturbing Trend in Political Strategy

Exploring how the Susanna Gibson case brings to light the troubling use of intimate material as a political weapon.

Look, let's cut to the chase.

We've seen some messed-up stuff lately where personal, intimate details are being used as political ammo. Think about Hunter Biden, the president's son, who had his private photos splashed all over the internet. Or Susanna Gibson, an up-and-comer in Virginia politics, whose sex life is currently (gift article) being twisted into a smear campaign to question her suitability for office. It's nasty and it's a big deal because this trend isn’t just about them.

It's a new sign of just how low things have sunk in Republican politics.

Because we live our lives online, the line between our public and private selves has become increasingly blurred, making it even more crucial to defend the sanctity of individual consent, agency, and privacy. This is no more apparent than in the instances where sexual material, created within a consensual context, is weaponized for political ends. Whether it's a candidate running for local office or the child of a presidential candida…