Fox News host Jessica Tarlov is no stranger to heated political debate. But last week, she became the center of a firestorm that had nothing to do with politics — and everything to do with personal attack.

It started with a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) from a user known as “Bad Hombre.” The post didn’t critique Tarlov’s views or arguments. Instead, it accused her of something far more personal: being unfaithful to her former husband by having an affair with her now-husband, Brian McKenna, while still married. The post even featured a photo of Tarlov, McKenna, and one of their children — their child’s face blurred, but the intent was anything but respectful.

Tarlov didn’t stay silent. “Lollll absolutely not true,” she wrote in response, directly addressing the claim. “But appreciate [you] covering my baby’s face – respectful even as you spread a disgusting lie.”

But that denial didn’t stop the wave of hatred. In fact, it seemed to fuel it. Suddenly, comment threads were flooded with slurs like “cheating whore,” “ho,” and “homewrecker.” A single baseless claim had opened the floodgates for deeply personal, gendered attacks. And it wasn’t just about one woman — it was about the broader playbook used to silence women in the public sphere.

A Calculated Smear That Hit Below the Belt

The timing wasn’t coincidental. Tarlov had recently criticized the Republican Party’s ongoing use of “family values” as political branding, especially in light of scandals like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s alleged infidelity. Her commentary was pointed, unapologetic — and clearly struck a nerve.

But rather than engage with her arguments, critics chose a different tactic: go for the personal. Hit her where it hurts. Weaponize her private life, real or imagined.

This isn’t new. It’s a tactic that women in media, politics, and public life know all too well.

Misogyny in 2025: Same Tactics, Different Targets

According to therapist Hallie Kritsas, who specializes in self-esteem and gender-based harassment, the smear campaign against Tarlov is a textbook case. “When women challenge power structures or speak up boldly, the pushback isn’t about facts — it’s about control,” Kritsas explains. “They get attacked not for what they say, but for who they are — or more specifically, how they behave in their relationships or family roles.”

In other words, women are judged by their perceived morality — and punished for stepping outside of it.

Unfounded accusations of infidelity aren’t about uncovering truth. They’re about shame. They serve as tools to devalue women, especially those who threaten established narratives. And in Tarlov’s case, the message was clear: criticize the system, and the system will come for you.

The Double Standard No One Wants to Admit

Perhaps most frustrating is the glaring double standard. Men in public life accused of infidelity — real or alleged — are often shrugged off, even celebrated in some circles. Women, on the other hand, are dissected, dragged, and demeaned.

“There’s a cultural narrative that women must be morally perfect to be credible,” says Kritsas. “Any hint of impropriety — even if it’s invented — becomes ammunition.”

This kind of scrutiny doesn’t just hurt reputations. It damages lives. It reinforces the idea that a woman’s voice only matters if her personal life fits a narrow mold. And when it doesn’t, her voice becomes disposable.

Staying Grounded in the Eye of the Storm

Despite the venom directed her way, Jessica Tarlov chose not to fight fire with fire. Her response was calm, composed, and laser-focused on the truth. She didn’t lash out. She didn’t play victim. She exposed the lie for what it was — and left the rest to speak for itself.

But her restraint doesn’t erase the pain or the pattern. This wasn’t just about one accusation or one woman. It was about the systemic problem of how we treat women who dare to speak up.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The smear campaign against Jessica Tarlov should make us all uncomfortable — not because of what it says about her, but because of what it says about us.

We live in a society where a woman’s credibility can be shattered by a single false tweet. Where her motherhood is used against her. Where her sexuality is policed by strangers online. And where lies, once unleashed, spread faster than the truth ever could.

If we care about equality, about justice, about basic decency — we have to do better. We have to call out the double standard. We have to stop treating women’s personal lives as fair game just because they dare to have opinions. And we have to hold ourselves and others accountable when we see misogyny dressed up as discourse.

Jessica Tarlov isn’t asking for sympathy. But she deserves respect. So do all women who speak boldly, live honestly, and refuse to be shamed into silence.

Let’s start there.