Donald Trump uses trans people to distract from the budget crisis

What he’s saying: Trump is trolling Democrats and saying they want “woke trans bulls**t” and “Transgender for everybody” as the government shuts down in order to block congressional leaders’ attempts to negotiate an agreement and avoid a shut down. His attacks are trans-focused because Republicans still think this is an effective way to get the public on their side.

Why it matters: After the shutdown ends, Congress is going to get to work on several large spending bills, which are all currently riddled with anti-trans riders. The White House clearly thinks those policies will be winners for it.

Donald Trump posts racist deepfake AI video to complain about Democrats’ “woke trans bulls**t”

Insights for the LGBTQ+ community

Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today

Pete Buttigieg denounces attempts to separate trans rights from the larger LGBTQ+ rights movement

What he said: “It’s terrible. I mean, look, you know, if you look into the history of what made it possible for people like me to have rights — like we do to get married — like, a lot of that was advocates and activists who were transgender in the ’60s or ’70s… who stuck up for everybody’s rights.”

Why it matters: Buttigieg is one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ people in the country, and he made comments about trans people in sports several months ago that some interpreted as advocating for giving up on trans rights. His support can help keep other Democrats enthusiastic for trans equality as well.

“It’s terrible”: Pete Buttigieg denounces attempts to drop the T from LGBTQ+

Man arrested after threatening to shoot up Pride celebrations as payback for Charlie Kirk

What he said: “Fk their parade i say we lock and load and pay them back for taking out Charlie Kirk.”

Why it matters: The right spent weeks blaming LGBTQ+ people – and especially trans people – for MAGA podcaster Charlie Kirk’s death. This isn’t even the first instance where someone has threatened this kind of payback since his death.

Man threatened to shoot up Pride as payback for Charlie Kirk: “Let’s go hunting faeries”

MAGA is outraged that LGBTQ+-supportive rapper Bad Bunny is headlining next year’s Super Bowl

Why they hate Bad Bunny: He has criticized ICE, he doesn’t rap in English, he has crossdressed several times in the past, they don’t know that his home of Puerto Rico is part of the U.S….

Why it matters: The NFL is trying to grow its audience, but many on the right have been emboldened in their attempts to censor artists since Trump took office.

“Demonic”: MAGA has racist, homophobic meltdown over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance

Anti-trans candidate drops out of Wisconsin governor race after he was caught following a nonbinary adult performer online

What the performer had to say about it all: “It’s okay to follow trans porn stars. It’s okay to read articles about sex and relationships. What’s not okay is the hypocrisy of backing forceful legislation that restricts what people, trans and otherwise, can do with their own bodies. That is shameful.”

Why it matters: It turns out that, even in 2025, some Republicans can still feel ashamed when called out for hypocrisy.

Anti-trans GOP candidate drops out after he was caught following nonbinary adult performer online

And here are some interesting queer and trans reads

LGBTQ Nation writer Greg Owen talked to two very different people who ended up in two very different LGBTQ+ senior residences. And they both love it.

“So happy” & “So peaceful”: Seniors talk life in an LGBTQ+ residence

LGBTQ Nation deputy editor Molly Sprayregen talked to the people behind the trans beauty pageant Miss Trans Star International.

This trans beauty pageant won’t be silenced by hate: “The girls are not afraid of who they are”

LGBTQ Nation columnist John Gallagher reminds Democrats that voters can hate both parties at the same time, so Trump’s sinking numbers are no guarantee of future wins.

Trump’s sinking popularity is no comfort for Democrats, who are even more unpopular

Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.