Fox News host calls Christine Hallquist “that transgender” in segment on her historic primary win
Ainsley Earhardt was slammed on social media for using the transphobic term
A Fox News host has been forced to apologize after describing a transgender political candidate as “that transgender.”
Fox & Friends‘ hosts were discussing Christine Hallquist’s history-making primary win in Vermont, where she became the first transgender woman to be nominated for governor by a major political party.
“In Vermont it was all about Bernie Sanders, and they nominated the first transgender candidate for Governor,” said Griff Jenkins, reports Gay Star News.
“That transgender beat the 14-year-old!” Ainsley Earhardt replied. “Remember they didn’t have an age limit, so the 14-year-old said, ‘Well, I’m going to run!’ Ran in the primary, didn’t win.”
"that transgender" 🙄🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/1l8FPOE2s4
— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) August 15, 2018
Earhardt’s comments were widely criticized on Twitter, with one person saying that “fox & friends has the casual bigotry down pat.”
Chelsea Clinton came to Hallquist’s defense, tweeting “Her name is Christine Hallquist” and linking to Hallquist’s campaign website.
In response, Hallquist thanked Clinton for her support and added that her preferred pronouns are “she, her, hers.”
Thanks @ChelseaClinton – we're so excited by the letters of support we're receiving from across the country everyday! Together, we'll realign America's moral compass.
-Christine
Pronouns: she, her, hers https://t.co/qupR2dCFIA
— Christine Hallquist (@christineforvt) August 15, 2018
Even Dictionary.com felt the need to comment, responding to Earhardt’s transphobia by tweeting out that the word “transgender” is “an adjective, not a noun.”
Transgender is an adjective, not a noun. https://t.co/LixUm5PIdr https://t.co/2m2UUTkuXv
— Dictionary.com (@Dictionarycom) August 15, 2018
The dictionary website has gained internet fame for unsubtly commenting on the actions of the Trump presidency through carefully timed definitions. Among other tweets, after Donald Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin, Dictionary.com tweeted the definition of “Traitor.”
“Patriot: A person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion,” they tweeted, adding: “Traitor: A person who commits treason by betraying his or her country.”
Speaking to The Wrap, Earhardt tried to excuse her actions by saying she “moved too quickly” to respond and “couldn’t recall Christine Hallquist’s name.”
“As a person of faith, I sincerely promise I never ever meant anything derogatory and I am sorry it may have come off that way,” Earhardt said.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
