Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, Trump declared that his administration would “stop the transgender lunacy” on his first day in office.
“I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender ideology out of the military, and remove it from elementary, middle, and high schools,” he said to cheers from the audience of young conservatives. He also promised to “keep men out of women’s sports,” asserting that the official policy of the United States under his administration would recognize “only two genders, male and female.”
The event, which served as a platform for Trump to outline his second-term priorities, also saw him reiterate hardline stances on immigration and the Panama Canal. He vowed to tackle “migrant crime” and warned Panama to adhere to the principles of the 1970s treaty granting it full control of the canal. If not, Trump said, “we will demand it be returned to the United States quickly and without question.”
Transgender issues have been a flashpoint in US politics, with Republican- and Democratic-controlled states enacting divergent policies. Just last week, Congress approved a defense budget that included a provision blocking some funding for gender-affirming care for the transgender children of military service members.
Framing his upcoming presidency as a stark reversal of the Biden administration’s policies, Trump promised to inaugurate what he described as a new era of American greatness. “On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, and national decline,” he said, adding, “The golden age of America is upon us.”
In foreign policy, Trump made bold claims about his ability to end global conflicts. “I will end the war in Ukraine. I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent, I promise, World War III,” he stated. However, he did not elaborate on the specifics of his peace plans.
Touching on the Panama Canal, Trump criticized the fees imposed on ships using the critical waterway, calling them “ridiculous.” He alleged that Panama “hasn’t treated us fairly” and suggested the US might seek to reclaim control of the canal if the terms of the treaty are not upheld.
Thousands of ships traverse the Panama Canal annually, making it a vital corridor for international trade. While Trump’s comments on the canal stirred speculation, it remains unclear if he plans to pursue more than rhetorical pressure on Panama’s government.
The president-elect’s fiery rhetoric on Sunday underscored his intent to push a divisive and ambitious agenda that has already begun to energize his political base.
