President Donald Trump is again inciting a social media storm, this time by banning transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military, a major shift in the country’s military policy that he announced on Twitter early Wednesday (July 26).
In a series of tweets, the president credits his reasoning to the “medical costs” and “disruption” he believes transgender troops would entail. And social media is predictably inflamed at the decision, which marks a sharp reversal from the Barack Obama administration’s lifting of a similar ban last year to allow transgender military personnel to serve openly.
See how celebrities like Sasha Velour and Peppermint of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sam Smith and rock duo Best Coast are reacting, below.
First, the announcement from Trump himself:
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
….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
….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
And here’s the Twitter storm that followed:
My heart breaks today for the bigotry this monster continues to put forward. Trans people are NOT a burden in ANY capacity.
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) July 26, 2017
After consultation with our staff, here is our current statement regarding @POTUS‘s transgender service tweets. “FUCK YOU.”
— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) July 26, 2017
are you joking. we’re actually going back in time what’s next cis women? then people of color? https://t.co/hjTc5EOsuK
— jj totah (@jjtotah) July 26, 2017
Can we march again? A general walkout? Too many headlines and headaches and heartbreaks. We need to topple this gd patriarchy YESTERDAY. https://t.co/UtfTRsYFwM
— Tim Federle (@TimFederle) July 26, 2017
Well, at least Trump isn’t announcing major policy change on twitter. Oh, wait… pic.twitter.com/48SV7QQ8aL
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) July 26, 2017
Are you TRYING to be an asshole? https://t.co/QW9axAScmO
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 26, 2017
Despicable https://t.co/dWZjnF8T8s
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 26, 2017
As trans women and men We have never asked for anything other than to live our life as our authentic self this hate has to stop!
— candis cayne (@candiscayne) July 26, 2017
History shall record that you are not only the stupidest, most incompetent president ever, but also the cruelest and pettiest. #Shame pic.twitter.com/8R4jVOIYmd
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017
Every single trans person who has served or WILL serve in our military is braver, stronger & a better patriot & human than @realDonaldTrump
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) July 26, 2017
Every single trans person is braver than Donald Trump
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) July 26, 2017
.@HRC is right, @realDonaldTrump‘s #transgender ban is unpatriotic & puts a target on 15,000 active military members https://t.co/JtsmMW1Bwa
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) July 26, 2017
Guess the “T” is silent? https://t.co/LTGUYJ6rxw
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) 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
Thousands of trans service-members on the front lines deserve better from their commander-in-chief, @realDonaldTrump. Contact the ACLU. pic.twitter.com/tr9YroUrKo
— ACLU National (@ACLU) July 26, 2017
He is a liar who will continue to strip our community of our rights…and literally “threatens our freedoms and beliefs” every day. pic.twitter.com/wdVwMicRJd
— Sasha Velour (@sasha_velour) July 26, 2017
#ProtectTransTroops #ProtectTransTroops #ProtectTransTroops #ProtectTransTroops #ProtectTransTroops #ProtectTransTroops !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) July 26, 2017
Holding up a Pride flag once doesn’t make him a friend. https://t.co/kBVRjYlwR0
— GLAAD (@glaad) 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
I’d like to pee right in Donald Trump’s hair. Good morning!
— The Black Madonna — (@blackmadonnachi) July 26, 2017
Hey @Caitlyn_Jenner how’s that vote for Trump feel now? https://t.co/SvIwcGe0Gg
— Pandora Boxx (@ThePandoraBoxx) 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
Gender does not dictate bravery or patriotism. Thank you to all our trans soldiers who have fought for our freedoms, we WILL get yours back! https://t.co/d4YaSVsiTA
— Britney Young (@ItsBritneyYoung) July 26, 2017
Trolling at its finest from a man who’s never served & shown up the way trans servicefolk have & are https://t.co/r8f6vW2N4J
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) July 26, 2017
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
These excuses for the military trans ban are B.S. trans people are not a “disruption” we are human have the same value as everyone else.
— Peppermint (@Peppermint247) July 26, 2017
#MakingAmericaDiscriminateAgain https://t.co/TX6HuIuHwD
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) July 26, 2017
Literally sick to my stomach and fuming that trump banned trans people from the military. I’m so fucking over his bull shit #transequality
— — Farrah Moan (@farrahrized) July 26, 2017
What a embarrassing time to be a American… — #TransEqualityPlease
— Kim Chi (@KimChi_Chic) July 26, 2017
Every proud patriot willing to risk their life for our country should be able to serve.
— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) July 26, 2017
The reasons given for banning transgendered people from serving in the military are not factually supported. This is blatant discrimination.
— LELAND (@LelandOfficial) July 26, 2017
From a report commissioned by the pentagon last year. Let’s not tolerate blatant transphobia under the guise of some huge ‘financial burden’ pic.twitter.com/1wz1bvaB0O
— troye sivan (@troyesivan) July 26, 2017
I’m honestly sick of Donald trump …
Like tea… medicine … flu shot …. halls … cough cough in his face SICK OF THIS MAN !!!— Queen ElizaBITCH (@CupcakKe_rapper) July 26, 2017
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 26, 2017