“Listening To Nickelback Would Have Been Better Use Of Time”: What Every LGBTQ Congressmember Said—And Didn’t Say—About Trump’s Congressional Address
Outrage over Trump’s speech was widespread, but his relentless attacks on trans Americans were largely sidestepped.
Donald Trump’s congressional address Tuesday night was exactly what we’ve come to expect: a mix of falsehoods, self-aggrandizement, and dangerous rhetoric targeting marginalized communities. Over the course of nearly two hours, he falsely claimed he won the popular vote “by big numbers,” exaggerated his administration’s so-called economic victories, and demonized immigrants while playing the victim of his own legal troubles. But some of his most harmful words were reserved for transgender Americans.
Trump railed against “wokeness” and “gender ideology,” taking particular aim at transgender youth, misleadingly referring to gender-affirming care as “mutilation” and calling for parents who support their trans children to be criminalized. He doubled down on his “two genders” executive order and condemned the participation of transgender women in sports. His fearmongering rhetoric, while not surprising, was a chilling reminder of his commitment to erasing LGBTQ+ rights.
LGBTQ+ lawmakers and advocacy groups were swift to respond.
Related: Senate Democrats Shut Down Anti-Trans Attack Disguised As Sports Bill
The Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement, “Tonight, Donald Trump stood before the American people and tried to rewrite history, painting himself as a leader when in reality, his legacy is chaos, cruelty, and corruption. If Trump’s lips are moving, he’s lying — and recklessly harming American families of all kinds. But he isn’t a king, he can’t erase the LGBTQ+ community, and the American people are sick of him using us to distract from his failures. We’re here, we’re queer, and we will never cower to a bully.”
Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings, meanwhile, said, “President Trump’s remarks were, frankly, pathetic and ignorant. His rhetoric attacked the identities and lives of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans and nonbinary people and youth, by falsely insinuating they don’t even exist. It is an affront to the very core of what this nation should stand for: respect, equality, and humanity.”
Below, we’ve gathered reactions from all 13 openly LGBTQ+ congress members, who by and large declined to comment on Trump’s repeated lies about transgender people to instead focus on kitchen table issues like the economy:
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) tried to bring some humor to the deeply unfunny spectacle
And spoke up for Trans and nonbinary people
Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) stood up for trans troops then found the door
Rep. Emily Randall (D-WA) explained why she attended, and why she walked out
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) tweeted… then deleted
At the time this post published, Garcia had posted that “Donald Trump is a liar, a fraud and the biggest con to ever serve as President.” The tweet has since been deleted, but where’s the lie?
Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) explained why she attended
And said she was bored
Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) focused on tariffs and the border
Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) spent the night fact-checking
Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL) focused on everyday needs
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) followed the money
Other out congress members who haven’t commented directly on the speech chose to make statements by highlighting their guests.
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) brought middle school teacher and public school advocate Denise Specht as Trump prepares to gut the Department of Education
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) brought Julie Mudd, a mother who has benefitted from Medicaid
Rep. Richie Torres (D-NY) brought Nancy Bolan, a fired USAID worker, who rang the alarm on the U.S. pulling out of the global polio eradication initiative
With so many critical issues in play, it’s essential that the fight for transgender rights remains a priority. Lawmakers and advocates have spoken out against Trump’s rhetoric, but his attacks on trans Americans require continued vigilance. The fight for equality is far from over, and those on the front lines will continue to make sure trans voices are heard and defended.
