Lasse Rimmer rejects backlash over women’s voting rights remarks

Comedian Lasse Rimmer says his comments about women’s right to vote have been taken out of context, after a short podcast clip sparked criticism online, DR reports.

In the clip, from the podcast “Elefanten i rummet”, Rimmer asks whether women should have the vote if they can cite hormones as an explanation for committing murder. He and co-host Andreas Bo were discussing the US case of Lindsay Clancy, who has admitted killing her three children. Her defence has described the killings as having taken place during postpartum psychosis.

Rimmer then refers to US commentators who have called for the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the United States. He says they use the argument to highlight what they see as the danger of claiming a woman could not control herself. Rimmer says he does not support reconsidering women’s voting rights and was describing the views of extremist commentators.

The clip was posted on the podcast’s Instagram account in mid-September. Criticism intensified after influencer Christina Sander shared a satirical post questioning why men discuss women’s right to vote as something they could take away. She also objected to the clip’s reference to “hormones” in connection with postpartum psychosis.

Among those responding to Sander’s post was Pia Olsen Dyhr, leader of the Socialist People’s Party, who praised her comments. TV presenters Michelle Bellaiche and Abdel Aziz Mahmoud also weighed in, alongside hundreds of other users who criticised Rimmer’s remarks.

Rimmer said he felt completely misunderstood and described the reaction as “ragebait” used by people who make a living from attention. He acknowledged that he could have anticipated strong responses, and said he might consider posting longer clips, even if they reached a smaller audience.

Sander said she first saw the short clip on the podcast’s social media accounts and later listened to the full episode several times. She said it was not clear to her that Rimmer was reporting other people’s views, and rejected the suggestion that her account of his remarks lacked nuance.

Rimmer said the discussion had become polarised, adding: “It is like starting a conversation with a slap.” He said people should be able to repeat others’ views without being treated as if they personally endorse them.