President-elect Donald Trump recently announced ambitious plans to reshape U.S. policies on transgender issues, vowing to take decisive action on his first day in office. Speaking at an event for young conservatives in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump emphasized his commitment to ending what he referred to as “transgender lunacy,” stating, “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military and out of our elementary, middle, and high schools.”
In addition, Trump pledged to “keep men out of women’s sports” and affirmed that the official policy of the U.S. government will recognize only two genders, male and female. His statements reflect a continued push against LGBTQ rights amidst a changing political landscape where Republican leaders are poised to hold power in both Congress and the White House.
Addressing the AmericaFest conference, Trump also introduced policies aimed at combating “migrant crime” and reiterated his commitment to restore U.S. control of the Panama Canal. As transgender issues continue to ignite debates across the nation, the recent defense budget passed by Congress included measures to restrict funding for gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members.
During his speech, which marked a moment of reflection on his recent electoral victory, Trump painted a stark contrast to the previous administration, stating, “On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness.”
Trump further asserted his intention to end the war in Ukraine and stabilize the Middle East, claiming, “I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us.” However, specifics on how he plans to resolve these complex international conflicts remain unclear.
In his remarks, Trump also criticized Panama’s management of the canal, claiming that current fees are “ridiculous.” He warned that if the terms of the 1970s treaty relinquishing control to Panama are not respected, the U.S. will demand the canal’s return “in full, quickly, and without question.” Given the canal’s significance to global trade, it remains to be seen whether Trump will pursue any tangible actions against the Panamanian government beyond rhetoric.
