Vogue Williams speaks out after being compared to Donald Trump in online trolling ordeal
Irish television presenter Vogue Williams has revealed she was subjected to a prolonged campaign of online harassment that included being likened to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The 40-year-old former I’m A Celebrity… Acquire Me Out Of Here! star shared the details during an appearance on the Vogue and Amber podcast, describing how a troll had been targeting her with abusive messages since 2023.
Williams explained that she only became aware of the extent of the trolling recently, saying: ". There’s a woman that has been trolling me since 2023 and I only noticed yesterday and I was like, Jesus Christ, that is a dirty message!" She read out one particularly offensive message that compared her appearance to Trump: "You’re an image of Donald Trump, you must be related to him with that mouth of yours. Greed is a terrible thing."
The presenter revealed that the harassment escalated after she tagged beauty expert Triona McCarthy in a social media post. The troll then began targeting her appearance with comments such as: "Triona might give you some tips on improving your looks, werewolf eyebrows, a horn on your face and gums galore." Williams said she reacted with disbelief upon seeing these messages.
Upon investigating the troll’s Instagram profile, Williams said she recognised the individual and decided to take a different approach than her usual response to online abuse. She mentioned having a personal rule for dealing with particularly harmful trolls: "I was going to blast her, because I have a latest thing where if you’re really disappointing… Like if you’re a real d**k head for no reason…."
Williams, who recently announced she is expecting her fourth child with husband Spencer Matthews, used the platform to speak out against the toxic nature of some social media interactions. She questioned whether her own reactions to the harassment had gone too far, showing reflection on how to handle such situations.
The Irish Mirror and other Irish media outlets reported on Williams’ comments, noting her disappointment with the persistent and personal nature of the online attacks she endured for over two years. Her decision to address the issue publicly highlights ongoing concerns about cyberbullying and the impact of targeted harassment on public figures.