MATGA Movement: Women Reference 17th-Century Poison Aqua Tofana in Post-Trump Win Protests

In the aftermath of Donald Trump‘s second presidential win, a new and controversial online trend has emerged, drawing significant attention for its historical reference and dark humor. The “MATGA” movement, short for “Make Aqua Tofana Great Again,” is a creative twist on Trump’s famous MAGA (Make America Great Again) slogan and references a 17th-century poison known as Aqua Tofana.

Aqua Tofana, allegedly created by Giulia Tofana in Sicily around 1630, was a powerful and lethal poison used by women in abusive relationships to escape their husbands. The poison was a mix of deadly substances, including arsenic, belladonna, and lead, and was colorless and tasteless, making it nearly undetectable. Just a few drops were enough to be lethal.

The MATGA movement has gone viral on social media platforms like TikTok, with videos featuring women pretending to pour clear liquids into drinks, symbolically referencing Tofana’s actions. These videos often use Eminem‘s song “Venom” as a backdrop and have garnered hundreds of thousands of views. Some clips even mention getting “Aqua Tofana tattoos” or growing poisonous plants like foxglove and azaleas.

This trend is seen as a symbolic protest against rising misogyny and gender inequality, particularly in the wake of Trump’s election. While it has sparked controversy, it highlights the creative and sometimes dark ways in which people are expressing their reactions to the election outcome[2]).