After a bitter and polarizing election season that ended with the election of the next president. donald trumpa 34-time convicted felon who was impeached twice during his first term and won the vice presidency. kamala harris, MSNBC Chris Hayes provided viewers with a moment of humanity and introspection during his interview with Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride. McBride, 34 years old Delaware The state senator who made history as the first out transgender person elected to US House of Representativeshas emerged as a symbol of resilience and a powerful voice for society. LGBTQ+ Expression. Hayes had a candid and deeply personal conversation about her victory and the growing backlash against transgender rights.
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Hayes said from the beginning that McBride’s victory was “one of the historic silver linings” in an election dominated by divisive attacks, particularly against the transgender community. In battleground states, the Trump campaign and Republicans spent a staggering $215 million on anti-transgender advertising, hoping to stoke fear and sway undecided voters. During the first Trump administration, the former president banned transgender people from serving in the U.S. military.
“The totally disgusting anti-trans ads that President Trump blanketed battleground states with were ineffective,” Hayes said, citing reports that such messages backfired in key areas. This data is consistent with new post-election polls. human rights campaign81 percent of equality voters and 84 percent of voters. LGBTQ+ Voters supported Harris and rejected the bill.republican A dark vision of America.
McBride admitted that his win was emotionally complicated. “It was a night of mixed emotions,” she recalled. “I am so grateful to the state of Delaware for raising me and helping shape the person I am.”
As the conversation turned to his campaign mechanics, Hayes asked McBride how he was able to connect with voters across political lines. Her answer was simple and powerful. “People judge candidates based on their ideas, not their identity.” McBride’s campaign is focused on policies that resonate with voters, including affordable health care, paid family leave, and expanded Medicaid. focused. “Through our campaign over the past year and a half, we have set out a positive and inclusive message,” she said. “And I think voters really responded to that.”
Hayes ran one of McBride’s campaign ads, a straightforward sales pitch that was a departure from the fear-driven ads dominating national airwaves. “This is a very good ad,” Hayes joked, praising its clarity and purpose. McBride said with a smile that the ad “reflects the diverse coalitions we’ve built across the state,” and echoes what she’s been hearing in the field: “Childcare costs, housing costs, health care costs.” I explained that I mentioned it. She explained that hateful anti-transgender rhetoric is not a priority for voters.
Hayes expressed her frustration with the barrage of anti-trans ads, writing, “There are trans people in my life that I love dearly and I want to stand in solidarity with them. I was upset, irritated, and instinctively irritated.”
McBride responded by describing the “crisis of hope” facing many LGBTQ+ Americans, especially transgender people. “These ads were part of a long-term strategy by the far right to single out small, vulnerable and misunderstood communities to incite fear and scapegoat them,” she said. She viewed these attacks as a deliberate distraction from the real issues shaping voters’ lives.
The latest HRC poll supports McBride’s view. Only 4% of voters considered anti-transgender issues important in their decision-making, demonstrating the limits of these ads.
“While we will spend the coming days, weeks and months diagnosing why Mr. Trump won this election, we should not accept the framework that anti-trans hysteria was an issue in his victory,” Hayes said. said.
The conversation took a hopeful turn as McBride described Delaware’s unique political culture, where civility and unity prevail despite ideological differences. She spoke at length about Delaware’s “Return Day.” This is a post-election ritual in which candidates from all parties literally bury the axe, symbolizing the end of political conflict. “This really reflects our approach to politics in Delaware,” she explained. “We can see our fellow citizens as neighbors rather than enemies.”
Looking back at McBride’s influence, happy President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis highlighted how McBride’s victory demonstrates the power of personal connections in combating misinformation about transgender people. . “Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride’s solid victory proves once again that the most powerful antidote to misinformation about transgender people is knowing transgender people themselves,” Ellis said. said in a statement. defender. “Congresswoman McBride has made a name for herself in Delaware by meeting with constituents and sharing personal stories about who she is and what she stands for. She does the same in this interview. I showed off my humanity and values.”
Ellis emphasized the importance of media platforms like MSNBC that highlight transgender voices, saying, “Transgender people are our neighbors, co-workers, family members, and friends. , yes, they are also our elected officials.” For Ellis, McBride’s candid, values-based approach during the interview highlighted how the media can bridge the gap for viewers who haven’t yet met a transgender person in real life. did. “We know that 70 percent of Americans say they have yet to meet a transgender person. Encountering transgender people through thoughtful and comprehensive coverage can go a long way. ” she explained.
She called on mainstream media to include transgender voices in their reporting and carefully check the facts about anti-trans campaigns. “Respect trans people not just as subjects of stories, but as important sources with much-needed perspectives,” Ellis says. “When journalism is fair, accurate, and inclusive, not just viewers and readers win, but all Americans win.”
Watch the remarkable interview between Chris Hayes and Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride below.
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