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Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, marking a historic return to the White House as only the second leader in U.S. history to serve non-consecutive terms. However, his inaugural speech immediately drew sharp reactions for its definitive stance on gender identity.
“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders—male and female,” Trump declared to a crowd of supporters gathered at the U.S. Capitol. The statement signals a significant shift in federal policy, likely to ignite debates over LGBTQ+ rights and the broader cultural landscape.
Trump’s remarks reflect his administration’s intent to roll back policies implemented under President Joe Biden, many of which expanded protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals. During his previous term, Trump faced criticism for banning transgender individuals from military service and rescinding guidance on transgender students’ bathroom access in schools. His return to the presidency is expected to further embolden socially conservative policies.
Despite the divisive rhetoric, Donald Trump’s speech included a call for unity, asserting that his administration would “respect all citizens” while upholding what he described as “biological truths.” Trump’s stance reflects a broader cultural debate in the United States, where state legislatures have passed numerous laws targeting transgender rights in recent years.