President Trump shocked the LGBT community on Wednesday when he tweeted his decision to ban transgender people from the United States military, prompting politicians, media members and other influential figures to express outrage.
“Trump is pretty sure the T in LGBT stands for Trump,” author Dana Schwartz tweeted following the announcement.
“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow… Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming,” Trump wrote. “Victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.”
Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin was quick to respond: “I know transgender service members and vets who have done more to serve their country than @realdonaldtrump has in his entire life.”
Senator Jeanne Shaheen said, “Thousands of transgender service members defend our country. They’re patriots & should be applauded not discriminated against by Pres Trump.”
New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi quoted Trump’s tweets and wrote, “This is actually German for ‘I don’t want to talk about healthcare.’”
Many people are resurfacing a tweet then-candidate Trump sent in 2016 when he promised to “fight” for the LGBT community.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/742771576039460864
Check out more of the reaction below:
Invidious discrimination against any group must be opposed by all. Straight/Cis allies: Will you stand with LGBTs?#TransRightsAreHumanRights
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017
Government sanctioned discrimination is terrifying on so many levels #transrightsarehumanrights Who will be next on the hit list?
— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) July 26, 2017
Who says transgender person has less of an ability to defend the nation? #Transrightsarehumanrights. Let's continue to fight for LBGT rights
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) July 26, 2017
We should be grateful to the people who wish to serve, not turn our backs on them. Banning transgender people is hurtful, baseless and wrong
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) July 26, 2017
Are you TRYING to be an asshole? https://t.co/QW9axAScmO
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 26, 2017
As trans women and men We have never asked for anything other than to live our life as our authentic self this hate has to stop!
— Candis Cayne (@candiscayne) July 26, 2017
@Caitlyn_Jenner wake up sweetheart give Your wonderful president a call & discuss #noTransgender in military congrats on a great choice!
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) July 26, 2017
Donald: With your ban on trans people from the military, you are on notice that you just pissed off the wrong community. You will regret it.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017
I know transgender service members and vets who have done more to serve their country than @realdonaldtrump has in his entire life.
— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) July 26, 2017
This is discriminatory, and un-American. To the transgender servicemembers who defend our nation, I stand with you. https://t.co/CqgWIeClzb
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 26, 2017
Disgusted by @realDonaldTrump attacks on those who serve. Thousands of #transgender Americans SERVE us proudly.Don't take us backwards???️? pic.twitter.com/fCAtCuzK8Q
— Julian Cyr (@JulianCyr) July 26, 2017
transgender people show more courage when they leave their fucking houses in the morning than donald trump has shown his entire life
— Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) July 26, 2017
Transgender servicemembers aren't a distraction, they are dedicated patriots. We welcome their service & honor their love of country. #LGBT
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/owillis/status/890201965866737664
Peter Thiel, Caitlyn Jenner, and all the other LGBT Republicans who supported Trump should be ashamed of themselves.
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/annehelen/status/890202090638688256
This Trump anti-LGBT move is an affront to human dignity and military success. A real twofer. And it smells like #MikePence to me. https://t.co/RmY24LNbHc
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) July 26, 2017
Remember that time @realDonaldTrump lied about being a "friend" to the LGBT community, and then did this? pic.twitter.com/ckZmYRS0Rp
— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) July 26, 2017
I grew up in a military w/ LGBT people serving in the shadows. We can't let DT turn back the clock on our brave, trans soldiers. #RISEUP
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) July 26, 2017
Trump, in 2016: "Thank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you."
Trump, now: US will not allow transgender ppl to serve in military.— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/DanaSchwartzzz/status/890200637916553218
Democrats on Trump’s transgender military ban: "Discrimination isn't patriotic." https://t.co/opfAh9Wkvz pic.twitter.com/uEwnLngz3n
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) July 26, 2017
Bone-spurs Trump doesn't have a fraction of the courage & patriotism of the transgender people he is banning from service. He's a coward. https://t.co/LSPlrlWgOp
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) July 26, 2017
Meanwhile, outspoken Trump supporter Tomi Lahren agrees with Trump’s decision.
The military is not a social experiment. Finally a POTUS who understands the concept. Political correctness=intellectual dishonesty!
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) July 26, 2017