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PoliticsQuiet 2d · day 3

GOP pushes trans-sports attacks as Democrats fracture on messaging

Republicans deploy anti-trans rhetoric as midterm strategy while Democratic candidates distance themselves, splitting the party.

newest coverage 2d agosummary written 1d ago3 pieces Newswires

What to know

  • Republicans are using anti-trans athletics messaging as a tested midterm strategy; Trump explicitly said he wants to deploy it closer to election day to maximize impact.
  • Multiple Democratic candidates in battleground races are running ads opposing trans athletes, breaking with their party's transgender rights stance to appeal to swing voters.
  • The issue has fractured the Democratic Party: progressive leaders and LGBTQ advocates are condemning battleground Democrats who use anti-trans language, drawing a line against Republican rhetoric.
  • Polling shows 73% of Americans are uncomfortable with trans athletes competing on teams matching their gender identity, creating real political pressure on Democrats in red and purple districts.

“I've always been clear, boys shouldn't play on girls' sports teams.”

Blake Gendebien, Democratic House candidate, New York · Roll Call ↗ · Sep 23

President Donald TrumpPresident Donald Trump President; GOP strategistRep. Marcy KapturRep. Marcy Kaptur Democratic House candidate, OhioRep. Mark Takano Co-chair, Equality PAC; Congressional Equality CaucusLucas County Democratic Party Local party organization, Toledo, OhioBlake Gendebien Democratic House candidate, New YorkSarah Trone GarriottSarah Trone Garriott Democratic state senator and candidate, Iowa

GOP pushes trans-sports attacks as Democrats fracture on messaging
rollcall.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 1 piece in one hour at Sep 24, 9 AM; 3 pieces over 3 days (3 articles) Sep 24, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 24, 10 AM — quietSep 24, 11 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 24, 12 PM — quietSep 24, 1 PM — quietSep 24, 2 PM — quietSep 24, 3 PM — quietSep 24, 4 PM — quietSep 24, 5 PM — quietSep 24, 6 PM — quietSep 24, 7 PM — quietSep 24, 8 PM — quietSep 24, 9 PM — quietSep 24, 10 PM — quietSep 24, 11 PM — quietSep 25, 12 AM — quietSep 25, 1 AM — quietSep 25, 2 AM — quietSep 25, 3 AM — quietSep 25, 4 AM — quietSep 25, 5 AM — quietSep 25, 6 AM — quietSep 25, 7 AM — quietSep 25, 8 AM — quietSep 25, 9 AM — quietSep 25, 10 AM — quietSep 25, 11 AM — quietSep 25, 12 PM — quietSep 25, 1 PM — quietSep 25, 2 PM — quietSep 25, 3 PM — quietSep 25, 4 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 25, 5 PM — quietSep 25, 6 PM — quietSep 25, 7 PM — quietSep 25, 8 PM — quietSep 25, 9 PM — quietSep 25, 10 PM — quietSep 25, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quietToday, 8 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quietToday, 10 AM — quietToday, 11 AM — quietToday, 12 PM — quietToday, 1 PM — quietToday, 2 PM — quietToday, 3 PM — quietToday, 4 PM — quietToday, 5 PM — quietToday, 6 PM — quiet ◂ 1 earlier2
Sep 25yesterdaytodaynow · 7:29 PM ET
  1. 2

    Rep. Takano acknowledges Democratic rift but sets limits on rhetoric

    Rep. Mark Takano, co-chair of Equality PAC, acknowledges political realities battleground Democrats face while drawing a line against candidates using Republican language that harms the LGBTQ community.

    “We recognize that no member will agree with us on every vote… It is imperative that we continue to welcome 'imperfect allies' to facilitate meaningful and lasting change for the LGBTQ community.”
    — Rep. Mark Takano
  2. 1

    Democratic officials condemn Kaptur's trans-sports ad as harmful

    Lucas County Democratic Party in Toledo objects to Rep. Marcy Kaptur's ad, calling her language "hurtful" and saying it mirrors Republican rhetoric, and requests the campaign remove it.

    “This is the type of harmful ad we expect from Derek Merrin and the Republicans.”
    — Lucas County Democratic Party
  3. background

    Democratic candidates run ads opposing trans athletes in sports — Multiple Democratic candidates in battleground races—including Rep. Marcy Kaptur in Ohio, Blake Gendebien in New York, and Sarah Trone Garriott in Iowa—release campaign ads opposing trans athletes in women's sports.

  4. background

    Trump signals anti-trans sports messaging as reserve midterm strategy — President Trump tells GOP convention attendees he wants to hold anti-trans rhetoric in reserve until closer to the election, saying he is "petrified" Democrats will preempt the issue by adopting the same message.