Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently made a series of inflammatory remarks during his interview on Fox Nation, suggesting that “transgender” issues dominate today’s school curriculums. Trump, speaking to his former adviser Kellyanne Conway on Monday, argued that instead of focusing on traditional subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic, U.S. schools are preoccupied with teaching about gender identity. He suggested that these lessons are undermining education and even “destroying the country.”
“We want reading, writing, and arithmetic,” Trump stated. “Right now, you have mostly transgender. Everything’s transgender.” Trump’s comments, made just a month before the 2024 presidential election, are part of a broader theme in his campaign that capitalizes on transphobic rhetoric and stokes fears about U.S. public education. His claims included plans to disband the U.S. Department of Education and transfer control of education to individual states, adding, “They’ll do great.”
While these remarks resonate with some segments of the Republican base, they are rooted in misinformation. There is no evidence to support the claim that “transgender ideology” has replaced academic fundamentals in schools. It is also emblematic of the growing use of anti-trans rhetoric in political discourse. By pushing these narratives, Trump and other politicians are not only amplifying misinformation but also potentially fostering hostility toward the transgender community, which is simply advocating for the right to exist and access essential services like gender-affirming care.
False Rhetoric, Real Harm
One of the most alarming aspects of Trump’s recent rhetoric is the false claim that schools are performing gender-affirming surgeries or making decisions about a child’s gender identity without parental consent. At a rally in Tucson, Arizona, Trump described what he called “transgender insanity,” warning parents that schools could change the sex of their children without their knowledge. “Can you imagine your child goes to school, and they don’t even call you, and they change the sex of your child?” he asked the crowd. However, there is no factual basis for such claims.
Medical guidelines in the U.S. clearly state that minors cannot undergo gender-affirming surgeries without parental consent, even in states where such care is legal. The process for gender-affirming care is deliberate and requires parental involvement, including counseling and medical oversight. In most cases, treatments for minors involve puberty blockers, which are reversible, and hormone therapy, typically reserved for older teens. The idea that schools could facilitate such life-altering decisions independently is not only inaccurate but also dangerously misleading.
What’s more concerning is the potential impact of this rhetoric on transgender individuals, particularly minors. Trump’s claims contribute to a culture of fear and misinformation that could lead to increased stigmatization and isolation of transgender youth. For a minority that already faces disproportionate rates of bullying, harassment, and mental health challenges, such rhetoric can exacerbate these issues.
Education Reform or Culture War?
In addition to the claims about transgender issues in schools, Trump discussed broader education reforms, including his proposal to shut down the U.S. Department of Education. Trump framed this as a move to reduce federal oversight and empower states, suggesting that local control would lead to better outcomes. He also cited the U.S.’s high per-pupil spending relative to other developed nations, using this to criticize the current state of education in America. While it is true that the U.S. spends more per pupil than many other countries, the implication that this spending is wasted or misallocated is more complex.
The factors contributing to educational outcomes go beyond spending; they include teacher training, curriculum development, and socio-economic disparities, among other elements. But instead of addressing these nuanced challenges, Trump focused on the supposed rise of “transgender ideology” as a culprit for underperformance in schools. His plan, as outlined on his campaign website, includes cutting federal funding to any school or program that promotes “Critical Race Theory, gender ideology, or other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content.” This framing, which appeals to the ongoing culture wars in the U.S., shifts the conversation from meaningful education reform to a divisive battle over social issues.
Moreover, Trump’s proposal to “keep men out of women’s sports” is another sign of his campaign’s focus on transphobia. This position targets transgender women, who are often singled out in discussions about fairness in women’s sports. The former president’s stance reflects a larger pattern of politicizing transgender issues, portraying them as threats to fairness and safety, even though there is no widespread evidence that transgender athletes are dominating women’s sports.
The Broader Impact on Transgender Individuals
The constant focus on transgender issues by some politicians, including Trump, has far-reaching consequences for the transgender community. Beyond the misinformation and fearmongering, these narratives actively work to erode the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. Transgender people, like everyone else, deserve access to healthcare, education, and the opportunity to live authentically. Yet, the politicization of their existence has made it increasingly difficult for many to do so without facing backlash.
Gender-affirming care, which Trump and his allies routinely attack, is not about “indoctrinating” children or hastily performing surgeries. It is about providing necessary medical support to those experiencing gender dysphoria, a recognized medical condition. According to leading medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, gender-affirming care is considered safe and beneficial for those who need it. Denying access to such care can have severe mental health consequences, particularly for transgender youth, who already face higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
Despite the support from the medical community for gender-affirming care, Trump’s rhetoric plays into the fears of those unfamiliar with the realities of being transgender. His statements suggest that the transgender community is somehow responsible for larger societal problems, and by painting transgender individuals as a threat, he reinforces a harmful us-versus-them mentality.
Transphobia and Its Effect on Policy
Trump’s strategy of stoking fears about transgender issues is not isolated. It is part of a broader trend among some conservative politicians to use transphobia as a rallying cry in their campaigns. By focusing on transgender individuals, particularly transgender youth, as a focal point in the culture wars, these politicians tap into broader concerns among parents about what their children are being taught in schools.
However, the real-world impact of this rhetoric is dangerous. In a number of states, legislation restricting the rights of transgender people in public places or outlawing gender-affirming care for minors has already passed. These policies, rooted in fear rather than facts, strip away fundamental rights from a vulnerable population.
It is crucial to recognize that these political strategies do more than win votes — they actively harm the transgender community. For many transgender individuals, especially those still coming to terms with their identity, the constant public discourse around their existence can feel invalidating and dehumanizing. When political leaders spread falsehoods about transgender care or imply that transgender people are a threat to societal norms, it creates an environment in which discrimination, violence, and marginalization are normalized.
The Bottom Line
As the 2024 election nears, it’s clear that transgender issues will continue to be a focal point in Trump’s campaign, just as they have been for other conservative politicians. However, it is crucial to counter these harmful narratives with empathy and truth. Transgender individuals are not the problem — they are simply people who, like anyone else, want to live their lives authentically and with dignity.
The misinformation surrounding transgender care, especially for minors, does not serve anyone’s interests except those looking to exploit fear for political gain. The stakes are high for the transgender community, particularly as new laws and policies threaten their access to essential healthcare and equal rights. Allies of the transgender community, as well as informed voters, must push back against these harmful narratives, ensuring that truth and empathy prevail over fear and division.
