Trump Calls for Limits on Trans Youth Transitions

President Trump used a State of the Union guest to highlight a lawsuit over a Virginia student's gender identity.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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During his State of the Union address, President Trump appeared to call for a ban on schools allowing students to socially transition without parental consent. He highlighted the case of Sage Blair, a student in Virginia who was allegedly encouraged by school counselors to use a new name and pronouns without her grandmother's knowledge, leading to bullying and harassment. Trump said 'no state can be allowed to rip children from their parents' arms and transition them to a new gender against the parents' will' and called for a ban on such practices.

Why it matters

The issue of parental rights and schools' handling of student gender identity has become a major political flashpoint, with some states passing laws requiring schools to notify parents if a student wishes to socially transition. Critics argue these 'forced outing' bills could endanger vulnerable LGBTQ youth, while proponents say they protect parental rights.

The details

Sage Blair, a student at Liberty University, and her grandmother Michele Blair, who sued the Appomattox County School Board, were guests of Trump at the State of the Union. Michele Blair has testified in support of a Virginia bill known as 'Sage's Law' that would require schools to notify parents if a student identifies as a gender different from their biological sex. The court dismissed Blair's claim that the school violated her right to direct her grandchild's upbringing, but allowed a separate claim that the school acted with 'deliberate indifference' to threats against the child.

  • In August 2021, Sage Blair, a 14-year-old girl experiencing gender dysphoria, was harassed, sexually assaulted and threatened at school after a school counselor advised she could use the boys' restroom.
  • Since 2023, the 'Sage's Law' bill has been introduced annually in Virginia but not passed.

The players

Sage Blair

A student at Liberty University who was the subject of a lawsuit filed by her grandmother over the school's handling of her gender identity.

Michele Blair

Sage Blair's paternal grandmother and adoptive mother, who sued the Appomattox County School Board over the school's actions regarding Sage's gender identity.

Appomattox County School Board

The school board that was sued by Michele Blair over its handling of Sage Blair's gender identity.

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What they’re saying

“Surely we can all agree, no state can be allowed to rip children from their parents' arms and transition them to a new gender against the parents' will. We must ban it.”

— President Trump (State of the Union address)

“Look, nobody stands up. These people are crazy. I'm telling you. They're crazy.”

— President Trump (State of the Union address)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Michele Blair's separate claim that the school acted with 'deliberate indifference' to threats against Sage to move forward.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over parental rights, school policies, and the treatment of transgender youth, with proponents of 'forced outing' bills arguing they protect parents' role in critical decisions, while critics say they endanger vulnerable students.