Trump’s ever-changing stance on transgender competitors.

Former President Donald Trump’s Evolving Stance on Transgender Competitors

Former President Donald Trump has had a complex relationship with transgender competitors, with his views shifting over time. From allowing transgender individuals to participate in Miss Universe a decade ago to supporting bans on biologically male athletes competing in women’s sports in 2022, Trump’s stance has evolved.

Praise for Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo

“I do think that would be fair, but I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road because there is a tradition of natural-born women,”

“But today, where there are so many surgeries and so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life, I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country.”

Trump, who owned the Miss Universe pageant at the time, commended Olivia Culpo’s response to the question of transgender participants in the pageant. Culpo, competing as Miss USA, expressed her belief in fairness and acceptance.

Support for Miss Canada Jenna Talackova

“This is a young woman who, according to the laws of Canada and according to the laws of the United States, is allowed to enter the pageant system. … We didn’t have a rule. This is sort of new territory. We have 58 contestants in Canada. I said let her run and maybe she will win, and if she wins, she will go to Miss Universe. And I think I made the right decision. I feel fine with the decision.”

Trump also celebrated the entrance of Miss Canada Jenna Talackova, a transgender woman, into the pageant. He acknowledged the global discussion it sparked and defended his decision to allow her to compete.

A Shift in Stance

However, a decade later, as Trump seeks the Republican nomination for president in 2024, his position on transgender competitors has changed. He now promises a “ban on men participating in women’s sports.” He has also made controversial remarks about gender transition surgeries for minors, referring to them as “child sexual mutilation.”

If elected president, Trump pledged to sign executive orders banning federal agencies from promoting gender transition surgeries at any age. Additionally, he expressed his intention to ask Congress to pass a bill that only recognizes genders assigned at birth.

Challenger Ron DeSantis and the LGBT Community

Trump’s main rival for the GOP nomination, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, is also seen as strongly opposed to the LGBT community. He has enacted laws that negatively impact LGBT youth, including restrictions on gender identity, limitations on discussing sexual orientation in schools, and barriers to transgender youth accessing gender transition surgery.

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