A man accused of stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark repeatedly interrupted court proceedings as he was charged on Tuesday.
Michael Lewis, 55, is charged with stalking Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever, and prosecutors allege he engaged in a “course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of Caitlin Clark that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized.” The claims stem from vulgar and sexually graphic messages Lewis allegedly sent to Clark on social media platform X, which has seen a spike in sexist threats toward women following Donald Trump’s election victory last year.
Lewis interrupted the proceedings with multiple outbursts, including a claim that he is “guilty as charged.” He later contradicted himself, claiming prosecutors “got the wrong guy” because they forgot to attach “Jr.” to his name on court records, NBC News reported. He also told the judge that he takes medication. The judge entered a not guilty plea on Lewis’ behalf, and Lewis said he doesn’t intent to seek bail.
This is just the latest in a recent raft of incidents in which a high-profile woman appears to have been targeted by an obsessive stalker. And it reflects an emerging trend that is indicative of the toxic air of hypermasculinity, entitlement and misogyny that has permeated American culture these days, particularly online.
In December, a man pleaded guilty to stalking college hoops star Paige Bueckers after repeatedly posting about her on social media. In a more recent high-profile case, rapper Megan Thee Stallion was granted a five-year restraining order from rapper Tory Lanez, whom she accused of coordinating a social media campaign to attack her while he serves a prison sentence for shooting her in the foot. Prominent pop stars like Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift have also faced harassment by fans at their homes.
Around the globe, we’re witnessing a misogynistic movement to strip women — no matter their stature — of their power and their dignity. Stalking and online harassment is one manifestation of the culture that movement produces, and Clark’s case — along with the others I mentioned — shows how women with means and notoriety aren’t immune from such attacks.