White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre swiftly dismissed a reporter's attempt to insinuate transgender girls participating in sports pose a danger to their cisgender teammates.
During a press briefing, the reporter questioned what President Joe Biden would say to concerned parents who worry about their daughters' safety when competing against transgender girls.
Jean-Pierre promptly shut down the line of questioning, emphasizing that the implication being made was that transgender kids are inherently dangerous.
You can watch what happened in the video below.
Journalist Owen Jensen of Eternal Word Television Network—a.k.a. EWTN global Catholic network—asked Jean-Pierre to share what Biden would say to parents “who have daughters… who are worried that their daughter may have to compete against a male, a person born male… and worry about their daughter’s safety."
Jensen cited a tweet from Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who claimed that “having biological males in women’s sports is unsafe, unfair, and wrong” and that “Congress needs to listen to the American people and pass my bill to protect our female athletes.”
Jean-Pierre highlighted the dangers of perpetuating such harmful stereotypes and condemned the notion that transgender youth pose a threat.
She said:
“What you’re alluding to is basically saying that transgender kids are dangerous. You’re laying out a broad example or explanation of what could potentially happen… That is dangerous.”
“That is a dangerous thing to say, that essentially transgender—kids we’re talking about—are dangerous. So that’s something that I have to call out. That is irresponsible.”
Jensen interrupted Jean-Pierre multiple times but was swiftly shut down when Jean-Pierre replied:
“That is irresponsible. I have just laid out how complicated this issue is. I have just laid out why it’s complicated. And so, anything that you have, any additional questions, I refer to the Department of Education.”
Many criticized Jensen and praised the Press Secretary's measured response.
\u201c@nowthisnews Thank you Karine Jean-Pierre.\u201d— NowThis (@NowThis) 1686785580
\u201c@nowthisnews Karien Jean-Pierre is brilliant! \ud83d\udc4f\u201d— NowThis (@NowThis) 1686785580
\u201c@nowthisnews Good call @PressSec the so called reporter is intentionally creating an emotive loaded narrative to demonise young people who are struggling to understand who they are by portraying them as what, potential rapists ???\n( By logical extrapolation)\nWrong & imo evil caricaturing \ud83d\ude21\u201d— NowThis (@NowThis) 1686785580
\u201c50 to 100 trans kids in school sports across the entire country and these people are implying they are dangerous to girls everywhere. This is putting a target on their backs. Unconscionable\n\nHave they ever looked at the differences in size and abilities in any group of athletes?\u201d— LorrB \ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc89\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@LorrB \ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc89\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1686870655
\u201c@nowthisnews If you're only willing to pay attention to the stories that further you're narrative, you'll miss the bulk of available information. Trans athletes lose more often than they win, and don't cause injuries at a higher rate than cis athletes.\u201d— NowThis (@NowThis) 1686844980
\u201c@nowthisnews He\u2019s concerned that girls can catch viral transgenderism. He\u2019s an idiot, and a hate monger.\u201d— NowThis (@NowThis) 1686785580
\u201c@nowthisnews Are you kidding me?\n\nApparently this smirking twit masquerading as a reporter doesn't consider America's epidemic of gun violence a difficult topic parents must cover with their children\u201d— NowThis (@NowThis) 1686785580
\u201cShe\u2019s so good at this. How lucky we are to have her in this role.\u201d— Catherine Lucey (@Catherine Lucey) 1686791514
As the debate surrounding transgender participation in sports continues, the exchange between Jean-Pierre and the reporter highlights the importance of challenging misleading narratives and advocating for the rights and safety of transgender youth.
Moreover, it underscores the ongoing efforts to create inclusive policies that respect the identities and well-being of all individuals involved in athletic pursuits.
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