By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-15 22:06:55 | Updated at 2024-11-27 18:45:10
1 week ago
John Oliver ranted at the Democratic Party for sidelining trans issues during Kamala Harris' campaign, contrasting this with the GOP's aggressive spending on anti-trans attack ads.
On the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, Oliver discussed Harris' defeat, criticizing self-proclaimed progressives who've turned against transgender people and blamed 'woke' politics for Donald Trump's success.
He bluntly critiqued Harris's campaign and how it largely ignored trans rights while Republicans poured over $215 million into anti-trans advertising - amounting to roughly $134 for every trans person in the U.S.
Oliver argued that Democrats should have taken a stronger stance in supporting trans people, expressing frustration with the Harris campaign's failure to effectively counter the attacks.
He called the lack of response particularly disheartening, noting that 'formulating a response is actually quite straightforward.'
'Watch, I'll do it for you right now,' he said, listing off four points.
'There are vanishingly few trans girls competing in high schools anywhere,' Oliver began.
'Even if there were more, trans kids like all kids vary in athletic ability and there is no evidence they pose any threat to safety or fairness,' he continued.
'It is very weird for you to be so focused on this subject.'
Finally, he added, 'If you genuinely want to address the biggest concern for most girls who play high school sports, you'd be less worried about this and more about the creepy assistant volleyball coach who keeps liking their f------ posts on Instagram.'
Addressing those blaming trans issues for Democratic losses in recent elections, Oliver warned that such finger-pointing at a specific demographic is 'missing the mark.'
John Oliver criticized the Democratic Party for sidelining trans issues during Kamala Harris ' campaign, contrasting this with the GOP 's aggressive spending on anti-trans attack ads
Oliver argued that Democrats should have taken a stronger stance in supporting trans individuals, expressing frustration with Harris campaign's failure to effectively counter these attacks
Oliver referenced remarks from Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi, who recently stated, 'The Democrats have to stop pandering to the far left... I don't want to discriminate against anybody, but I don't think biological boys should be playing in girls' sports.'
Similar rhetoric has been echoed by other Democratic lawmakers following Harris' loss.
Although the presidential election didn't go his way, Oliver emphasized important victories worth celebrating. He highlighted the resounding success of abortion referendums, even in conservative states, and Sarah McBride's groundbreaking election in Delaware.
'Even amid the GOP's massive anti-trans ad campaign, on Tuesday, Delaware elected the country's first openly trans member of Congress,' Oliver said.
'And around the country, at least 35 trans and otherwise gender-expansive candidates won races in places like Montana, Hawaii, and Kentucky, where Emma Curtis was elected to the Lexington city council. And that is a big deal.'
'It's incredibly powerful to have one group saying, "I don't think you exist," and be able to respond with, "I'm literally an elected official," he concluded.
