Trump Draws Mixed Reactions for Transgender Weightlifter Impression

President Donald Trump sparked controversy during a recent speech at the House GOP’s annual retreat, where he performed an impression of a transgender athlete participating in a weightlifting competition. The event took place on March 14, 2024, and the clip was shared by the White House’s “Rapid Response 47” account on X, accompanied by the caption: “@POTUS on his imitation of ‘trans athletes’ in women’s sports: ‘My wife HATES when I do this.’” The post included three laughing while crying emojis, which added to the divisive nature of Trump’s remarks.

During his address, Trump mentioned that his wife, Melania Trump, disapproves of his impressions, especially his humor about weightlifting. He recalled her comment: “Could you imagine FDR dancing?” referencing former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who used a wheelchair. Trump then proceeded with his impression, acting out the struggles of a female weightlifter, complete with exaggerated gestures and vocalizations. At one point, he stated, “Drops the thing, walks off the stage crying. Her mother’s crying, her father’s crying.” He followed this with an impression of a male athlete lifting weights effortlessly, further emphasizing his comedic routine.

The reaction online was swift and polarized. Critics lambasted Trump’s rhetoric, questioning the appropriateness of his comments. One user on X remarked, “Trump is giving a speech at a Republican event in Washington. He’s mimicking women weightlifting… Hasn’t he something more important to do or talk about?” Another added, “What bizarre dimension have we slipped into? This is so embarrassing.”

Conversely, some supporters lauded Trump’s performance. Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer and advocate against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, shared the clip, stating, “Trump’s imitation of a trans weightlifter. No, I don’t regret my vote. This is perfect.”

In addition to his impressions, Trump made claims regarding transgender athletes in competitive sports. He asserted that “two transitioned people” won gold medals in boxing, likely referring to Olympic gold medalists Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, both of whom were identified as female at birth and competed as women.

This isn’t the first time Trump has used humor to discuss transgender athletes. In May 2023, during a speech at the University of Alabama, he performed a similar impression, discussing a hypothetical transgender weightlifter breaking records.

The Trump administration has faced criticism for its policies affecting transgender and intersex individuals. The administration has moved to ban transgender people from military service, a policy upheld by the Supreme Court while legal challenges continue. Additionally, efforts have been made to restrict citizens from selecting a sex marker on passports that aligns with their gender identity.

According to GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, attacks on transgender Americans have risen significantly. Between May 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025, GLAAD tracked 932 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the United States, with 52 percent of those incidents specifically targeting transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Compared to the previous year, attacks against transgender people increased by 14 percent.

The mixed reactions to Trump’s latest comments highlight the ongoing debate surrounding transgender rights in sports and society at large. As discussions continue, the impact of such rhetoric on public perception and policy remains to be seen.