In a speech advertised as an economic address, President Donald Trump veered sharply into anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, claiming Democrats want to turn “every member of your family” transgender. Speaking at a Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, casino, Trump mocked the idea of expanding trans rights, saying, “Transgender for every member of your family. If they’re not feeling well that night, let’s just change their sex.” He repeated his long-used phrase transgender for all, presenting it as a Democratic position, despite no evidence that Democrats support forced transitioning.
Advocates note that liberals view trans people as a small, historically marginalized community needing legal protection. Trump, however, had made attacking transgender rights a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign, spending heavily on anti-trans messaging even as the Harris campaign remained largely quiet on the issue. Trump also escalated racist and misogynistic attacks against Representative Ilhan Omar, calling her a bitch, mocking her attire, and prompting chants of Send her back! from the crowd. He additionally admitted he referred to Haiti and African nations as “Shitthole countries” in 2018. Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta responded to his hateful speech, saying, “I already knew Donald Trump was a liar and corrupt and incompetent.”
