NEW YORK—In a recent address, former President Donald Trump outlined a series of measures he would take to restrict gender-affirming care for minors, criticizing what he described as “chemical, physical, and emotional mutilation” of young people. Trump stated that if re-elected, he would immediately reverse federal policies on gender transition care implemented during President Joe Biden’s administration.
“On day one, I will revoke Joe Biden’s cruel policies on so-called gender-affirming care,” Trump said, describing these policies as “ridiculous.” He condemned medical interventions for transgender youth, including the use of puberty blockers and surgeries for minors, and pledged to prohibit federal taxpayer funds from being used for such procedures. He called for legislation to ban what he referred to as “child sexual mutilation” across all 50 states.
Trump also outlined punitive actions he would take against healthcare providers that offer gender-affirming care to minors. He stated that any hospital or healthcare facility performing such treatments would lose eligibility for federal funding under Medicare and Medicaid, which could significantly impact their operations. “Any hospital or healthcare provider that participates in the chemical or physical mutilation of minor youth will no longer meet federal health and safety standards for Medicaid and Medicare and will be terminated from the program immediately,” Trump said.
In addition to regulatory measures, Trump expressed support for legal actions against healthcare professionals involved in gender-affirming procedures for minors. He proposed establishing a “private right of action” allowing individuals to sue doctors who have conducted these treatments. Trump also pledged that the Department of Justice would investigate major pharmaceutical companies and healthcare networks to determine if they “deliberately covered up horrific long term side effects of sex transitions.”
Finally, Trump signaled that his administration would scrutinize educational institutions for promoting concepts of gender fluidity. He stated that his Department of Education would warn schools and teachers against suggesting to students that they might be “trapped in the wrong body.” Trump suggested that such guidance would constitute “civil rights violations for sex discrimination,” implying that schools could face legal consequences for introducing or supporting discussions of gender identity in ways he opposes.
Trump’s statements come amid ongoing national debate over the rights of transgender individuals, particularly minors, and the role of government in regulating medical practices related to gender identity.
