The reaction to the #MeToo movement started in October 2018 after a tweet from a mother about her son being afraid to date because of a climate of false rape allegations.
Instead, it was a way of showing support for Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, Hillary Clinton's running-mate in the 2016 United States presidential election.
[5] However, the hashtag became increasingly popular for criticizing rape allegations, especially after actress Asia Argento, one of the major leaders of the #MeToo movement, was accused of sexually assaulting actor Jimmy Bennett when he was a minor and paying him $380,000 as part of a nondisclosure settlement.
[2] People used the #HimToo hashtag to express support for Kavanaugh and to criticize women who allegedly gave false rape accusations.
[6] On November 17, 2018, a rally supporting the #HimToo movement hosted by Patriot Prayer member Haley Adams was held in downtown Portland, Oregon.
[9] A counter-protest attended by 350 people was held nearby to express their support for victims of sexual assault in light of the #MeToo movement under a banner saying "Survivors are Everywhere".
The counter-protesters allegedly started using pepper spray and fireworks, as well as tossing bottles, flares, silly string, and smoke bombs.
They state that the #HimToo movement discredits the idea that men can be sexually assaulted as well, and casts doubt that those who come forward can be believed.