Donald Trump is once again facing backlash after a speech in which he acted out a weightlifting routine while talking about transgender athletes.
Speaking at a recent event, the U.S. president returned to one of his familiar talking points: transgender women competing in women’s sports. But it wasn’t just his comments that caught people’s attention.
During a speech at Mack Trucks’ manufacturing facility in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, a crucial swing region in the midterms, 80-year-old Trump addressed many topics and issues. But one drew all the attention, at least online.
Trump launched into a dramatic impression of a weightlifter, complete with exaggerated facial expressions, grunts, and gestures. To start with, he joked that his wife, Melania Trump, dislikes the routine.
“My wife hates when I do this,” Trump told the audience, before acting out the scene anyway.
“You know the weightlifter where he goes up and the record stood for years, and years, years. And this young lady, she’s trying out for the Olympics and she’s going to do it…”
Donald Trump slammed for ‘disgusting’ act during rant about trans athletes
“But she said her parents are right there in the front, and they’re so proud. The father’s not so proud because he knows she’s not going to do it. Because she’s a woman. It’s a lot of weight. The mother, though, is screaming, ‘Darling, I love you. Do it.’”
Trump continued to act out the scene, telling supporters, “And she gets over the weights and she stares… and the mother’s screaming, ‘Darling, I love you.’
“The father’s looking, saying she has no chance. And she’s like this, you see. Ah, drops them, and she’s devastated for the rest of her life. And then a guy comes along who transitionedm” the president concluded.
The clip quickly spread across social media, where many viewers described the performance as awkward and embarrassing.
One person wrote: “This is a national embarrassment.”
“Please show me one world leader who has ever behaved like this on TV. He is a b***dy embarrassment,” a second added.
“Embarrassment”
A third said, “Imagine the President of the United States thinking this is appropriate,” while a fourth simply stated, “Trump did that weird thing again.”
“Trump, 80, moans on live television,” a fifth joked.
Others criticized Trump for using the issue as political theater, while supporters defended his remarks, arguing he was highlighting concerns about fairness in women’s sports.
The debate over transgender athletes has become one of the most divisive issues in American politics. Trump has repeatedly pledged to restrict transgender women from competing in women’s sports, making the topic a key part of his campaign and presidency.
As with many of Trump’s public appearances, the speech sparked strong reactions on both sides — with some applauding his message and others arguing that the performance overshadowed the discussion itself.
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