Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ potential bid for the 2024 presidential campaign and Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter, raised their voices in criticism against the Biden administration after a video celebrating the “LGBTQI+ Community” and referring to them as “our kids” was shared on social media by the White House.
The White House took to Twitter on Monday, assuring the LGBTQI+ community, “The Biden-Harris Administration has your back,” and accompanied the tweet with a video. The video, which appeared four days after President Biden and first lady Jill Biden attended a White House event for Pride Month, featured the presidential residence adorned with rainbow-colored lights while Biden provided a voiceover.
However, Biden’s remarks in the video sparked a wave of backlash on various social media platforms. Many users took offense and made it clear that their children are not property of the government. In response, the DeSantis campaign chimed in and shared screenshots from the video, bluntly stating, “They are not your kids.”
Elon Musk, known for his outspokenness on a wide range of social and political issues, also joined the criticism directed at the White House’s messaging. He emphasized that children should not be treated as mere tools for the government, expressing on Twitter, “Our kids are not fodder for the government.”
The controversial video came shortly after a “Pride Celebration” event hosted by President Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House. The event drew criticism when a video circulated online, featuring topless transgender activists who were present.
Addressing the incident, a spokesperson from the White House released a statement declaring that individuals seen in the video would not be invited to future events. The spokesperson condemned the behavior as inappropriate and disrespectful, emphasizing that it did not reflect the purpose of the event, which was to honor LGBTQI+ families and the numerous other attendees.
Rose Montoya, a transgender TikTok influencer who is biologically male, originally shared the video from the event. It depicted Montoya and another unidentified transgender activist, biologically female, revealing their bare chests on the South Lawn with the White House visible in the background.
Recent times have seen a number of GOP-led states passing laws and implementing restrictions regarding sex-change surgeries and treatments for transgender minors. Biden strongly condemned these measures during a speech at the White House, denouncing them as “hysterical” and “prejudiced.”
Highlighting his administration’s commitment to LGBTQ rights, Biden listed accomplishments such as ending the ban on transgender troops in the military, signing the Respect for Marriage Act, and enhancing civil rights protections for all LGBT Americans. He argued that the bills enacted by certain states were rooted in fear and exhibited unjustified and extreme prejudice.
As the debate surrounding transgender rights intensifies, Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed a bill into law, joining Missouri and other states in restricting gender-related medical care for minors. These measures have now been implemented in at least 20 states, sparking a nationwide conversation about the treatment and rights of transgender youth.
The intersection of politics, LGBTQ rights, and the welfare of transgender minors continues to be a contentious issue in the United States. As the Biden administration faces criticism from DeSantis and Musk, the conversation around these topics will undoubtedly shape the political landscape leading up to the 2024 presidential election and beyond.