Celebrities and citizens have taken to social media to respond to a series of tweets from the president Wednesday morning announcing a ban on all transgender Americans serving in the military.
Today, Donald Trump issued a series of tweets that informed the public that transgender Americans could no longer serve in any capacity in the military. Obviously, Twitter users have not been quiet about their feelings about this news. For one, Donald Trump had previously assured the LGBTQ+ community that he was their ally.
This doesn’t exactly show him as a great ally to any American, and he went on to spread messages of love for God throughout the morning. Basically, it’s just been a strange day to be around the Trump administration.
With everything these tweets have started, many celebrities and citizens alike have taken to the internet to share their outrage for what is happening in America. First, let’s look at Trump’s initial tweets from this morning.
After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
The beginning of a series of tweets (our president sure does love his ellipses), Trump began to explain that it wasn’t just his decision to do this.
....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
He even goes on to say that transgender people cannot be involved in the military in any capacity, presumably meaning they would be barred from technical roles as well as those in the armed forces.
....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
At least he ended this with “Thank you.” Right?
Later, Sen. John McCain’s office released a statement trying to clarify Trump’s tweets, but the fall-out was well underway.
Celebrities react
Well, obviously there was outrage. The best? The medical cost that Trump talked about is far less than what the government spends on Viagra for the military.
A lot of outrage was also geared towards Caitlyn Jenner. The transgender Olympian has been loud and proud about her support of Donald Trump and now, suddenly when it directly affects her, she’s angry.
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
@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
Other transgender stars began voicing their outrage as well. Laverne Cox was one of the main stars to make sure her anger was heard.
To all the trans folks currently serving in the military thank you for your service. I am sorry your "commander in chief" doesn't value it.
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 26, 2017
And as they should. This is insane. There is no reason that these things should be happening in our country right now. Many of us are angry and upset. We feel almost hopeless. And we’re clearly not alone.
Here are a few other celebrity responses:
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 (@EllenDeGeneres) July 26, 2017
I hope deep down Trump voters realize the increasing amount of psychological & perhaps even physical damage they've done to fellow Americans
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 26, 2017
Every proud patriot willing to risk their life for our country should be able to serve.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 26, 2017
Every single trans person is braver than Donald Trump
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) July 26, 2017
Correct. https://t.co/GApzH7flhY
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) July 26, 2017
ALL those who defend our right to live freely should be able to serve freely! There are THOUSANDS currently serving! #ProtectTransTroops
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 26, 2017
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We here at Culturess stand by our transgender brothers and sisters at this difficult time.