Former President Donald Trump sparked widespread discussion online following his imitation of a transgender weightlifter during remarks at the House GOP’s annual retreat on March 5, 2024. The incident, shared by the White House’s “Rapid Response 47” account on X, featured Trump humorously depicting a trans athlete’s experience in a weightlifting competition.
During his speech, Trump stated, “My wife HATES when I do this,” referencing his impression of a transgender athlete. He elaborated that Melania Trump dislikes not only his impressions but also his dancing. The former president humorously cited a conversation with his wife regarding how she would react to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was paralyzed, saying, “Could you imagine FDR dancing?”
Trump’s impression involved mimicking a woman lifting weights, followed by a comical portrayal of a less experienced male athlete effortlessly succeeding in the same activity. He concluded the act with a narrative of the emotional response from the fictitious athlete’s parents, stating, “Drops the thing, walks off the stage crying. Her mother’s crying, her father’s crying.”
The online reaction was swift and varied. Critics condemned Trump’s rhetoric, with one user questioning, “He’s mimicking women weightlifting & talking about transitioning women boxing. Hasn’t he something more important to do or talk about?” Another remarked on the embarrassment of the situation, stating, “What bizarre dimension have we slipped into?”
Conversely, some supporters applauded Trump’s remarks. Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has campaigned against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, shared the clip on X, saying, “Trump’s imitation of a trans weightlifter. No, I don’t regret my vote. This is perfect.”
In his speech, Trump also claimed that “two transitioned people” won gold medals in boxing, likely referencing Olympic gold medalists Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who were both identified as female at birth and competed as women.
This incident is not the first time Trump has made light of transgender athletes. In May 2023, he performed a similar impression while speaking at the University of Alabama, mocking the scenario of a transitioned athlete breaking records after failing as a male weightlifter.
The backlash against such comments comes amidst ongoing concerns regarding the rights of transgender and intersex individuals in the United States. Under the Trump administration, policies have been enacted that seek to limit the rights of these communities, including a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, a policy upheld by the Supreme Court. Furthermore, attempts to prevent citizens from selecting a sex marker on their passports that aligns with their gender identity have also been reported.
According to GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, there has been a notable rise in attacks on transgender Americans. Between May 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025, GLAAD tracked 932 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the U.S., with 52 percent specifically targeting transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. The organization also reported a 14 percent increase in attacks against transgender people compared to the previous year.
As discussions around gender identity and representation continue, Trump’s remarks have reignited debates over the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports and the broader implications for society.
