Reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner accused Donald Trump of breaking “a promise” to fight for LGBTQ people Wednesday, but her longtime support for the president meant people weren’t going to let her off the hook following his announcement that transgender people would no longer be accepted into United States military service.
The 67-year-old Olympian, who become a high-profile advocate for LGBTQ rights when she came out as a transgender woman two years ago, let the president know she was disappointed with his move in a highly anticipated tweet.
“There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us,” she said. “What happened to your promise to fight for them?”
There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them? https://t.co/WzjypVC8Sr
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 26, 2017
But her followers either accused her of being naive, a fool or worse — a traitor to a cause.
you're literally the only person who believed it, actually
— extra pickles pls 🇦🇫 🍉 (@sandwichgirly) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/Viotch/status/890255177453895680
Everyone saw through his lie, Cait. Why couldn't you?
— Sydney Duncan (@sydneyvduncan) July 26, 2017
Some lobbed accusations at her. They said her status as rich, privileged celebrity left her out-of-touch with the struggles of regular transgender people, or said her ardent support of Trump’s presidency made her complicit in his policies that are harmful to the LGBTQ community:
https://twitter.com/jordansdiamonds/status/890257204405841922
How long will it take for @Caitlyn_Jenner to figure out that her politics as a conservative only helps the part of her that likes money? pic.twitter.com/I9W6R5Fn0o
— BlackFilmsonNetflix (@blknetflix) July 26, 2017
Because of people like you who voted for him millions are suffering. NOW the transgender community is being targeted by this madman!
— Sunflower Soul (@SunflowerSoul71) July 26, 2017
Earlier this month ,Jenner revealed she had been working behind the scenes with members of the Trump administration on LGBTQ rights.
While she once vehemently insisted that Trump would be a champion of these rights, Jenner admitted while co-hosting “The View” that she had been disappointed with Trump on a “few” things, particularly when it comes to his views on the LGBTQ community.
In February, she publicly criticized Trump’s decision to reverse federal guidance on anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, calling the move a “disaster.”
On “The View” two weeks ago, she acknowledged that Democrats are more progressive when it comes to LBGTQ issues and that her Republican Party needs help.
But she said, “I’m there to help them.”
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It looks like those words — and others — came back to haunt Jenner on Wednesday. Before she issued her statement, people expressed anger with her for her support of Trump, with some accusing her of betraying the LBGTQ community.
With regard to her saying she’s working with the administration, one user mocked her with, “How is that going so far?”
https://twitter.com/Aubs89/status/890209169986465792
New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow joined the criticism, quoting a statement of Jenner’s, in which she proclaimed that Trump is very much “behind” the LBGTQ community:
. @Caitlyn_Jenner, I'm never going to forget this…NEVER #TraitorToTheCause pic.twitter.com/Bulc9EOJh4
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) July 26, 2017
Others accused her of betrayal:
https://twitter.com/ScarletWynnter/status/890231765540798464
Hey @Caitlyn_Jenner, u benefited from activists paving the way for u, but u set the LGBT community back by endorsing Trump. Apologize now. pic.twitter.com/vjlFGSoSuC
— Lauren Werner (@LaurenWern) July 26, 2017
@Caitlyn_Jenner is hypocrite and looking to grab attention where was her support for LGBT community b4 the surgery never once heard a word??
— AdamTheCollector (@_Adam0926) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/NatalieBeeler/status/890231620363403268
Before she issued her statement on Twitter, others waited to find out from her if she still supports Trump or if she would justify his decision:
I wonder what conservative @Caitlyn_Jenner thinks of Trump & the party she has thrown her support behind. #militaryban #transgender
— jMo (@jMo_Red) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/AreYouShook/status/890233405065105408
And @Caitlyn_Jenner has said?! NOTHING CUZ SHES FAKE.
— Brianna (@Pomac) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/rafael_logro/status/890234304864899073
This story has been updated to include Caitlyn Jenner’s response to Donald Trump’s announcement the ban on transgender people in the military.
