President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to reverse transgender rights and implement sweeping conservative policies once he assumes office on January 20, 2025. Speaking to a crowd of young conservatives at the AmericaFest conference, Trump promised to make defining changes, including a strict adherence to two genders: male and female.
“I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, remove transgender ideology from schools, and ban transgender individuals from serving in the military,” Trump declared to roaring applause. He added, “It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders.”
The speech, which marked a triumphant post-election victory lap, also highlighted a broader conservative agenda targeting issues from gender identity to border control.
Gender Debate at the Forefront
Trump’s comments reignite the national debate over transgender rights, an issue that has divided the United States along party lines. Republican-led states have passed laws banning gender-affirming medical care for minors and restricting discussions on gender identity in schools. In contrast, Democratic strongholds continue to defend LGBTQ rights through legislation and litigation.
Most recently, the U.S. Congress added a provision to its annual defense budget, limiting the use of federal funds for gender-affirming care for the children of service members. This provision reflects a growing trend among conservatives to challenge transgender policies on multiple fronts.
Trump’s pledge to “keep men out of women’s sports” has struck a chord with his base, who argue that transgender women participating in women’s athletics undermine fair competition. LGBTQ advocacy groups, however, call such measures discriminatory and harmful.
In response to Trump’s statements, LGBTQ activists expressed concern. “This is not just a rollback of rights; it’s an attack on the very existence of transgender individuals,” said Sarah Palmer, a representative for Equality Now, an LGBTQ advocacy organisation.
A Broader Conservative Agenda
The president-elect’s focus extended beyond gender issues to promises of sweeping changes in immigration and foreign policy. Trump reiterated his pledge to deport millions of undocumented migrants, labelling the effort “the largest deportation operation in American history.”
“This criminal network operating on American soil will be dismantled, deported, and destroyed,” he vowed, referring to drug cartels that he plans to designate as foreign terrorist organisations.
Such rhetoric harks back to Trump’s first term, when he promised similar measures after the murder of nine American citizens by a cartel in Mexico. However, that plan was abandoned after objections from then-Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador.
Critics question the feasibility of these plans, citing logistical challenges and diplomatic concerns. Immigration policy expert Miguel Rodriguez noted, “Designating cartels as terrorist organisations risks further complicating U.S.-Mexico relations and could lead to unintended consequences.”
Promises of Peace and Prosperity
In his speech, Trump painted an optimistic vision for his second term. “On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, and national decline,” he said.
Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine, resolve conflicts in the Middle East, and prevent a looming “World War III.” However, he offered no specific details on how these ambitious goals would be achieved.
“The golden age of America is upon us,” he proclaimed, framing his return to office as a turning point for the nation.
While the details remain scarce, Trump’s critics argue that his promises are more rhetoric than substance. “His claims sound good, but they lack actionable plans,” said political analyst Janet Brown.
Revisiting the Panama Canal
In a surprising pivot, Trump revisited the decades-old debate over the Panama Canal. He criticised Panamanian authorities, calling their management of the canal “unfair.”
“If the principles of the 1970s treaty that handed over the canal are not followed, we will demand it be returned to the United States in full,” Trump said, adding that current fees for the canal’s use are “ridiculous.”
The Panama Canal remains a crucial shipping route for international trade, with thousands of ships transiting its waters annually. Reopening this issue could strain U.S.-Panama relations, but Trump insisted that America’s interests must come first.
Polarising the Nation
Trump’s remarks have already sparked intense debate across the nation. Supporters argue that his policies reflect the will of the American people, while opponents warn of the potential harm to minority communities and international relations.
The Human Rights Campaign, one of the largest LGBTQ advocacy organisations in the United States, condemned Trump’s speech. “These are not just political statements; they are direct attacks on vulnerable communities,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson.
Meanwhile, conservative groups praised Trump’s approach as bold and necessary. “This is the leadership America needs to restore its values,” said Mark Reynolds, a spokesperson for the Family Policy Alliance.
