Reporters and celebrities reacted to President Donald Trump's decision Wednesday to ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military with shock.
Trump announced his decision on Twitter with a series of tweets, prefacing the announcement by saying that it was made in consultation with generals and military experts. Trump said the military should be focused on "decisive" and "overwhelming" victory and that the services cannot be "burdened" by the medical costs and disruption that he believes would result from allowing transgender individuals to serve.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890193981585444864
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890196164313833472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Ffreebeacon.com%2Fnational-security%2Ftrump-transgender-individuals-will-not-serve-in-military-in-any-capacity%2F
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890197095151546369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Ffreebeacon.com%2Fnational-security%2Ftrump-transgender-individuals-will-not-serve-in-military-in-any-capacity%2F
The announcement came as a shock to some reporters and even to the communications department at the Pentagon. CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr reported that the Pentagon press office seemed unaware of Trump's decision. It was later reported that Secretary of Defense James Mattis was aware of it.
UPDATE The Pentagon press office initially unaware POTUS on transgender. Now, DOD has referred ?s to WH. Official says Mattis was aware.
— Barbara Starr (@barbarastarrcnn) July 26, 2017
Several journalists noted Trump's choice of words calling the generals his, while others mocked his past pledges to support the LGBT community.
https://twitter.com/BCAppelbaum/status/890206673188597760
"My generals" https://t.co/32jweLFFFz
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/AliVelshi/status/890204057578688512
October 2016 https://t.co/YiclrocuWs
— Liam Stack (@liamstack) July 26, 2017
He's going to lean in to culture war the more threatened he feels and it will get far far uglier.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) July 26, 2017
The only time Trump administration seems to reach out nicely to LGBT community is when it wants their support against Islamists/Sharia.
— Nahal Toosi (@nahaltoosi) July 26, 2017
There is a major base play going on https://t.co/nKrtlTC3Du
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/natemcdermott/status/890203500084330496
https://twitter.com/ParkerMolloy/status/890226859203604481
Celebrities in Hollywood were vocal in their opposition to Trump's decision. Some called for the decision to be challenged while others mocked the president.
no. My God. This must be challenged. https://t.co/H9DBE4cmK7
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 26, 2017
Are you TRYING to be an asshole? https://t.co/QW9axAScmO
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 26, 2017
Invidious discrimination against any group must be opposed by all. Straight/Cis allies: Will you stand with LGBTs?#TransRightsAreHumanRights
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017
I'm starting to think they don't know what these letters actually stand for. https://t.co/ieznVV5Gio
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) July 26, 2017
Hey Ivanka, James here. Hope all is good, quick question, can you... Erm... Call your dad and have a talk. X https://t.co/yiiL89J3Ap
— James Corden (@JKCorden) July 26, 2017
Guess the "T" is silent? https://t.co/LTGUYJ6rxw
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 26, 2017
Chelsea Manning, the former Army intelligence analyst convicted of leaking troves of U.S. secrets, described Trump's decision as "cowardice" with an emoji filled tweet.
https://twitter.com/xychelsea/status/890215240461430785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2017%2Fbiz%2Fnews%2Ftrump-transgender-military-ban-hollywood-reacts-social-media-1202506976%2F