Former American president Donald Trump, fresh of a new round of federal indictments for his alleged mishandling of classified documents, gave a raucous campaign speech in front of a Republican audience in North Carolina on Saturday night.
Speaking at the North Carolina Republican Party’s convention in Greensboro, Trump got “especially animated when discussing transgender issues,” according to Fox News.
He stated that, if elected, he would ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
“I will keep men out of women’s sports,” Trump said while “making a weightlifting motion” to “loud applause.”
Trump went on to claim that transgender women were “obliterating” longstanding women’s athletic records. According to Fox News, Trump told a story about a woman who was “a great champion” who was able to lift “something like 218 pounds” but no more.
“Then a guy comes along. Bingo!” Trump said, lifting an imaginary weight with his hands. “But you know what, honestly, it’s really demeaning to women.”
Trump then turned to women’s swimming, claiming that some had been “windburned” while competing against transgender athletes.
“Some women are being badly injured by the windburn that’s caused by the man going so much faster,” said Trump. “The wind is blowing. It’s just terrible. It’s so unfair.”
There is currently a bill in the North Carolina state legislature that would ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports in middle school, high school and college.
The world was quick to react to the news:
So much attention to a non-issue. Republicans just need somebody to hate.
— Looking into it strongly (@pokeyoaksbiker) June 11, 2023
He had four years to put this into law.
— Sweety Perla 💙 (@sweetyperla_off) June 11, 2023
You’ll never convince any MAGA that they are not both the victim and hero in everything.
— Luke Zaleski (@ZaleskiLuke) June 11, 2023
I think he has bigger problems than this to think about
— Ginger Mcdowell (@mging10) June 11, 2023
Never thought this would happen, but I agree 100% with Trump
— Zac Roberts (@grobsycat) June 11, 2023
[Fox News]