- President Trump’s administration is quietly reshaping the narrative on LGBTQ+ representation in government, even as critics continue to paint him as anti-gay.
- President Trump is appointing several openly gay and lesbian individuals to high-profile roles in his administration, including Scott Bessent, who could become the highest-ranking openly gay official in U.S. history as Treasury Secretary.
- The appointments challenge Democratic rhetoric that Trump’s presidency is hostile to LGBTQ+ rights.
- Vice President Kamala Harris and the Human Rights Campaign, have warned of dire consequences for LGBTQ+ Americans under a second Trump term.
- Supporters argue that Trump’s decisions are merit-based, reflecting his focus on qualifications rather than identity markers.
Trump is bucking the media and Democratic Party's hysteria
When President Trump announced his latest round of administration appointments, few expected the list to include a significant number of openly gay and lesbian individuals. Yet, as the dust settles, it’s clear that Trump is defying critics—by tapping members of the LGBTQ+ community for top roles. From Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager poised to become Treasury Secretary, to Richard Grenell, a seasoned diplomat and former acting Director of National Intelligence, Trump’s picks are making history.
This development stands in stark contrast to the narrative pushed by Democratic leaders and activists, who have repeatedly warned that a second Trump term would endanger LGBTQ+ rights. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, for instance, has claimed that the “freedom to love who you love openly and with pride” is at stake. Meanwhile, organizations like the Human Rights Campaign have described Trump’s presidency as “horrific” for LGBTQ+ Americans.
But the reality, according to those within Trump’s orbit, is far more nuanced.
Trump is guided by a merit-based approach to hiring
Bill White, a top Trump fundraiser and the incoming U.S. ambassador to Belgium, summed up the administration’s philosophy succinctly: “When it comes to whether you’re gay or straight, black or white and all those markers others calculate—President Trump is decision blind. He bases his decision on the kind of job he knows you will do, period.”
This sentiment was echoed by Scott Bessent during his confirmation hearing. “I sit here knowing that President Trump chose me because he believes I am the best candidate, not because of my sexual preference,” Bessent said. “I think it is a tribute to President Trump that he looks at people as people.”
The appointments reflect a broader trend within the Trump administration, which has quietly prioritized qualifications over identity politics. Among the notable picks are Tammy Bruce, a former Fox News contributor and new State Department spokesperson, and Jacob Helberg, the undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment.
Trump’s appointments are not without precedent. During his first term, he appointed Randy Berry as ambassador to Nepal and James Abbott to the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Abbott, who was recently confirmed unanimously by the Senate, is now serving a five-year term.
Gregory Angelo, president of the Log Cabin Republicans, praised Abbott’s confirmation, noting that it was based on merit. “Abbott earned this post, pure and simple,” Angelo said. “Log Cabin Republicans submitted a letter in support of James’ nomination, he has been a longtime member of our Washington, D.C. chapter, and I was personally in attendance at his hearing, so naturally this is something Log Cabin Republicans across the country are celebrating.”
For many within the LGBTQ+ community, Trump’s appointments are a step in the right direction for a government that should look at qualifications instead of sexual preference and identity. Trump’s appointments reflect a merit-based approach that prioritizes qualifications over identity, challenging the hysterical notion that his presidency is inherently hostile to LGBTQ+ Americans.
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