US President-elect Donald Trump delivered a sprawling address on Sunday that he called a “small preview of the common-sense revolution” his administration will bring. He pledged to slam shut the nation’s borders, end federal regulations, lower taxes, prosecute his rivals, “stop woke,” and “end the transgender lunacy.”
In a 90-minute speech at a conservative conference in Phoenix, Mr. Trump offered a triumphant view of his election victory and promised that a new “golden age in America” had begun. The president-elect repeatedly lashed out at transgender people, to the delight of the audience, which roared with approval.
Trump Vows to End ‘Transgender Lunacy’
Donald Trump stated that with a stroke of his pen, “we are going to end the transgender lunacy” and the mutilation of children—an apparent reference to gender-affirming surgery.
“I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender individuals out of the military, and remove them from elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools,” the president-elect said at the event.
He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports,” adding that “it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.”
“We’re going to stop woke,” he declared, using profanity to underscore his pledge.
Trump has emphasised that ending what he calls “transgender lunacy” will be a top priority from day one of his presidency, reflecting a broader Republican push against LGBTQ+ rights.
Transgender Issues: A Hot Topic in US Politics
Transgender rights have become one of the most polarising issues in US politics, with states controlled by Democrats and Republicans adopting sharply contrasting policies. These range from medical care and school curriculum to restrictions on books discussing gender identity.
Recently, the US Congress approved a defence budget that includes a provision to block funding for certain gender-affirming medical care for the children of service members.
Trump has announced plans to sign an executive order removing transgender service members from the military immediately after his inauguration. Reports indicate he is preparing an order to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military, forcing the medical discharge of thousands of currently serving transgender personnel.
Will Trump Ban Transgender Individuals from the US Military?
Trump’s proposed military ban would reportedly affect approximately 15,000 transgender service members, deeming them medically “unfit” to serve. The order is expected to extend to prohibiting transgender individuals from joining the armed forces altogether, despite ongoing recruitment challenges faced by various branches of the military.
In his first term, Trump introduced a similar ban in 2017, citing “tremendous medical costs and disruption.” This policy, implemented in 2019, was highly criticized by human rights organizations and activists.
If reintroduced, the ban could have significant implications for military morale and recruitment efforts, as well as broader debates about equality and inclusion in American society.
Trump’s Campaign Strategy Focused on Transgender Rights
As the election approached, Trump’s campaign heavily emphasized transgender rights in its messaging. According to CBS News, Trump and his allies spent tens of millions of dollars on political ads targeting transgender issues.
The Trump campaign alone reportedly spent more than $19 million on two television ads aired nearly 55,000 times since October 1, according to data from AdImpact. Additionally, Make America Great Again Inc., the leading super PAC supporting Trump, spent more than $1.1 million on similar ads, which aired over 6,000 times in the same period.
These ads reflect a broader strategy to appeal to conservative voters by focusing on cultural issues, including transgender rights, as a defining feature of the “common-sense revolution” promised by Trump’s administration.
The Road Ahead
As Donald Trump prepares to assume office, his administration’s approach to transgender rights will likely remain a central point of contention. Critics argue that his policies undermine human rights and further marginalize vulnerable communities. Supporters, however, see them as a necessary corrective to what they describe as “woke overreach.”
With the Republican Party in control of both chambers of Congress and the presidency, sweeping changes to federal policy on transgender rights are expected in the months ahead, potentially igniting fierce debates across the nation.