The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of fear, frustration, and uncertainty for the transgender community. With the looming specter of a second Trump administration—one already promising an aggressively anti-trans agenda—many of us feel like we’re living on a knife’s edge. The anger is palpable, and rightly so. Our rights, our dignity, and in some cases, our very lives are on the line.
But in this climate of justified rage, I’ve noticed a dangerous pattern emerging—one that threatens not only individual trans people but the entire community. Online threats directed at public officials, conservative influencers, and even media personalities have been on the rise. I’ve seen these threats not only from isolated accounts but from trans individuals whose anger has boiled over into dangerous territory. And now, I’ve seen something even more alarming: influencers with massive platforms actively monitoring, reporting, and retaliating against those threats.
One recent case was particularly chilling. A transgender woman, enraged by the rhetoric of a far-right influencer, made an impulsive threat online. Within 24 hours, that influencer’s followers had doxxed her, exposing her real name, workplace, and address. The fallout was swift and devastating. This is not an isolated incident. The current political climate has emboldened those who want to see us suffer, and they are watching closely for any misstep they can use as ammunition against us.
The Reality of a Second Trump Administration
Since Donald Trump was re-elected, we must realize we are not be facing the same administration we saw in 2016. This time, it will be even more ruthless. Figures like Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, and Pam Bondi—individuals with a long history of anti-trans sentiment—hold powerful law enforcement roles.
This means that any trans person making online threats, even in jest, could be tracked down, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. These people will not hesitate to make an example out of us. If they can use a few reckless posts as justification to paint the entire trans community as a “threat,” they absolutely will. The legal and personal consequences of an online outburst could be catastrophic.
The Temptation of Retaliation
I understand the rage. Every day, many of us receive death threats, slurs, and insults just for existing, especially those who are active personalities online. The emotional toll of this harassment is immense, and the urge to fight back—forcefully, unapologetically—is strong. But we must recognize that there is a difference between righteous anger and reckless self-destruction.
The far-right ecosystem thrives on narratives of victimization. They want to claim that trans people are a violent threat, that we are the aggressors rather than the ones under attack. When a trans person makes a threat online, they hand our enemies exactly what they need to justify further oppression. We must be strategic in our resistance. We cannot afford to play into their hands.
Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones
If you fear physical harm, by all means, take a self-defense course. Learn how to protect yourself. If you choose to purchase a firearm, do so legally, responsibly, and with proper training. Your safety and that of your loved ones is paramount. But do not risk your future—and the futures of those who depend on you—by posting threats online in a moment of anger. Even if meant as a joke, those threats will be taken seriously, and the consequences could be life-altering.
Doxxing and the Perils of Social Media Vigilantism
It’s not just the government we need to worry about. Conservative influencers with millions of followers are watching us, waiting for the opportunity to expose, harass, and destroy trans lives. These figures have turned doxxing into a sport. They don’t just call out threats; they sic their hordes of followers on anyone they deem a political opponent.
Once doxxed, a trans person can lose their job, their home, and their safety. The consequences don’t just stop with online harassment—real-world violence often follows. The transgender community already faces disproportionate levels of violence, and being publicly exposed as a “threat” by a high-profile conservative influencer only increases that danger.
What We Must Do Instead
This is not a call for passivity. This is not me saying we should accept our oppression quietly. This is a call for smarter resistance.
- Channel Anger into Action – Instead of making threats that can be used against us, we must focus on collective power. Support trans-led organizations, donate to mutual aid funds, and show up for protests. Real change happens through strategic activism, not reckless online outbursts.
- Secure Your Online Presence – If you are visibly trans and politically vocal, take steps to protect yourself. Lock down your social media accounts, be mindful of what you post, and never share personal information that could be used against you.
- Call Out Reckless Behavior – If you see another trans person making a dangerous statement online, intervene. Remind them of the risks. Encourage them to think before they post. We must look out for each other.
- Understand the Legal Consequences – Making a threat online, even in jest, can carry severe legal repercussions. The First Amendment does not protect threats of violence. Given the current political climate, any perceived threat from a trans person will be treated with maximum severity.
- Build Community Strength – The best defense against oppression is solidarity. We need to lift each other up, protect one another, and create networks of support that cannot be easily dismantled.
The Bottom Line
I get it. I’m just as angry as you are. I wake up every day feeling the weight of this fight, and I know how exhausting it is. But we cannot let our rage lead us into self-destruction. The people coming for us want us to fail. They want us to be so consumed by our fury that we sabotage ourselves.
This is not the time for carelessness. This is not the time to give them an excuse to come after us harder than they already are. We must be smarter, stronger, and more united than ever before. Our future depends on it.
