‘What happened to your promise?’: Trump slammed over military transgender ban tweet
An explosion of condemnation hit not only President Donald Trump, but also left collateral damage on social media, for Trump’s unexpected announcement that the US military would “not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity.”
Trump’s shocking tweets Wednesday morning against a year-old policy change that allowed transgender people to serve openly in the US military lit a firestorm on Twitter. Trump claimed that the policy “burdened [the military] with the tremendous medical costs and disruption.”
READ MORE: No transgender people to serve in US military 'in any capacity' – Trump
Among those rejecting the president’s premise is a 20-year veteran of the elite US Navy SEALs, Kristin Beck, who happens to be transgender.
“Let's meet face to face and you tell me I'm not worthy,” Beck, formerly Christopher Beck, said in a message to Trump, Business Insider reported. “Transgender doesn't matter. Do your service.”
.@realDonaldTrump, meet Kristin Beck, former Navy SEAL Team 6. She's trans. She's got a bronze star, purple heart & more courage than most. pic.twitter.com/qiSvdL7V6k
— Miles Kahn (@mileskahn) July 26, 2017
Former Army private Chelsea Manning, previously Bradley Manning, tweeted that the “biggest baddest” and most well-funded military in the world “cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35?”
“Sounds like cowardice," she added, along with the hashtag #WeGotThis.
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people 😩 but funds the F-35? 😑 sounds like cowardice 😎💕🌈 #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Manning’s words weren’t too far off from a position Trump himself voiced in 1999 in opposition to the Clinton-era "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, which banned gay people from being open and honest about their sexual orientation while in the military.
At the time, Trump told The Advocate that “if a gay person can be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher or take another position of responsibility, why can't they serve this country in the military?”
“The Pentagon is wasting millions on weapons they don't need instead of focusing on the military needs in the changing world situation,” Trump added.
Strange to remember that in 1999, Trump was at forefront arguing gay Americans should be allowed to serve. What he told The Advocate: pic.twitter.com/fNKbHkTSC3
— andrew kaczynski 🤔 (@KFILE) July 26, 2017
Others were also concerned for the thousands of transgender people currently in uniform, and what ramifications they may face from their own colleagues, as a result of Trump's announcement.
Trans people already (and will continue) serving in the military. Trump's announcement just puts them at greater risk. https://t.co/fMUMd42slB
— Kelly Weill (@KELLYWEILL) July 26, 2017
Some pointed out the unintended consequence of such a policy change, that if someone wanted to avoid a potential military draft, all it would take is to claim to be transgender.
Come the draft, we should all be Trans. #LGBT#TransRightsAreHumanRights
— (((MikeTaustine))) (@mtaustine) July 26, 2017An unearthed June 2016 tweet from then-candidate Trump was also circulated. Trump had written just two days after the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting: “Thank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs.”
Let's not forget -- During the campaign, Donald Trump promised transgender Americans "I will fight for you" https://t.co/0PptiSZ3XZ
— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) July 26, 2017
Longtime Republican voter Caitlyn Jenner, previously Bruce Jenner, supported Trump in 2016 against the advice of many LGBT persons. On Wednesday, she joined in criticism of Trump, tweeting, "What happened to your promise to fight" for transgender people, of whom Jenner estimated 15,000 are in the US military.
There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them? https://t.co/WzjypVC8Sr
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 26, 2017
Jenner faced a backlash on Twitter from liberal and progressive LGBT community members and allies.
Caitlyn sweetie we BEEN trying to warn you and your privileged ass continued to vouch for him. I'm supposed to feel bad? I don't.
— Jordan (@jordansdiamonds) July 26, 2017
Can y'all stop @ing Caitlyn Jenner today, the last thing she should be doing is reading Twitter notifications while driving
— Ira Madison III (@ira) July 26, 2017
The American Medical Association, the largest professional association of physicians, said, "There is no medically valid reason to exclude transgender individuals from military service."
Transgender individuals are serving their country with honor, and they should be allowed to continue doing so. https://t.co/nJ9jmxnKBzpic.twitter.com/VKnd0HxERB
— AMA (@AmerMedicalAssn) July 26, 2017
Opposition to Trump's announcement may soon move offline, as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is ready to challenge any such policy change in court.
Transgender service members should know the ACLU has your back and we want to hear from you. https://t.co/GpYb3RwP5I
— ACLU National (@ACLU) July 26, 2017