The 116th Congress will include several firsts. One of those is the most women ever to be in Congress. The Senate will have at least 24 female Senators and the House of Representatives will have at least 102 women.
While those numbers are still far less than half, it is still a major demographic change from just a decade ago when Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi of California became the first woman to ever serve as Speaker of the House. In the 110th Congress of 2008, there were 16 women in the Senate and 73 in the House.
South Dakota and Maine also elected their first female Governors in the 2018 midterm elections. More women also ran for offices in 2018 than ever before, at all levels of government.
In addition to more women entering Congress, more diversity will be represented in 2019. The first female Muslims and Native Americans, as well as the first Black woman to represent Massachusetts and first Latina to represent Texas will be in the 116th Congress.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) took to Twitter on Wednesday to express her joy over the gains made by women, especially women of color, in 2018.
Our future is: Female Intersectional Powered by our belief in one another. And we’re just getting started.— Kirsten Gillibrand (@Kirsten Gillibrand) 1543968360.0
But not everyone likes the idea of either diversity or gender equality. For some, the idea of others gaining equality with their rights and privileges means they "lose" something.
Donald Trump Jr. responded to Senator Gillibrand's post, claiming strides by women and increased diversity mean there is "no future" for his sons.
Good to know. My girls will be excited about this. When is it appropriate to let my boys (9, 7 and 6 years old) tha… https://t.co/hPzpSxXeMt— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1544024587.0
People who understood Gillibrand's message quickly pointed it out to Donald Trump Jr.
This was not the first time Trump Jr. tried to be clever on Twitter and saw more pushback than support.
@DonaldJTrumpJr Can someone tell @DonaldJTrumpJr that women accumulating power in a male-dominated country isn’t a… https://t.co/8HCRAfDloV— Ahmed Baba (@Ahmed Baba) 1544041168.0
@AhmedBaba_ @DonaldJTrumpJr I'm not sure that crayons and lettered blocks are up to the challenge, and Donnie doesn… https://t.co/g4K23AxaUC— Ailill Farraideach 🌈🌈 (@Ailill Farraideach 🌈🌈) 1544042149.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr Don’t worry their step dad will teach them.— Chucky (@Chucky) 1544025219.0
@sternyoulearn @DonaldJTrumpJr @trumps_feed The future for them is being the sons of an entitled dumb ass who never… https://t.co/JeEIyxvJlk— John Agnello (@John Agnello) 1544026345.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr So your platform is Males Extresectionalism ... Isn't that what we've always had?— Judson Hall (@Judson Hall) 1544032486.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr Do you work at being this obtuse or is it a natural "gift"?— MI Forest (@MI Forest) 1544030941.0
@IntimateForest @DonaldJTrumpJr ~flip-flip-flip~ Fredo flips through the dictionary, looking for “obtuse.”— Old Soldier (@Old Soldier) 1544036677.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr Well unless they’ve lied under oath, constantly, updated their statements for the convenient truth… https://t.co/8neF9PUoNR— AQ (@AQ) 1544025977.0
Others thought Trump Jr. might be limited in his communications soon.
@DonaldJTrumpJr Just make sure they know when visiting hours are. Their mom will take care of the rest.— Kate Newcomb (@Kate Newcomb) 1544034713.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr You ask about when to let your children know there is no future for them: As soon as possible. Wit… https://t.co/eHa0wO5nZV— finely (@finely) 1544037092.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr Tell them in a letter from prison. Kids love hearing from their Dads in prison. Plus they can sell the autographs on ebay.— SquarePeg (@SquarePeg) 1544033806.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr ... you can tell them during visiting hours...— Dave Kilminster (@Dave Kilminster) 1544028939.0
@DaveKilminster @DonaldJTrumpJr 😂 https://t.co/Q2GNvJemPg— Steve Headrick (@Steve Headrick) 1544031646.0
And internet personality "Mrs. Betty Bowers America's Best Christian"—aka comedian Deven Green—had a message about what might excite Trump Jr.'s daughters more.
You know what your girls would be more excited about, @DonaldJTrumpJr? Having a father who hadn't abandoned them to… https://t.co/TxnB2MVyhU— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@Mrs. Betty Bowers) 1544027467.0
Senator Gillibrand did not respond to Trump Jr.'s tweet, however, the younger Trump did not tag Gillibrand or reply directly to her original post.