- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Appomattox Today
By the People, for the People
Trump Renews Attacks on Trans Youth in State of the Union
President calls for states to restrict rights of transgender students in schools
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
In his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump voiced support for policies that would further restrict the rights of transgender youth, including a proposal in Virginia that would require schools to notify parents if their child identifies with a gender different than the one assigned at birth. Trump also brought a student and her grandmother to the speech who are suing their school district over gender identity issues.
Why it matters
Trump's rhetoric and policy proposals targeting transgender individuals, especially youth, mark a sharp departure from the approach of previous administrations and demonstrate the White House's efforts to comprehensively erase trans people from society through executive actions and funding threats.
The details
During his nearly two-hour State of the Union speech, Trump called on states to take steps to restrict the rights of transgender students, voicing support for a policy under consideration in Virginia that would require schools to notify parents if a student identifies with a gender different than the one assigned at birth. Trump also brought a student named Sage Blair and her grandmother Michele Blair, who sued their school district over gender identity issues, to the speech as guests.
- President Trump delivered the State of the Union address on February 24, 2026.
- The Virginia policy Trump referenced is currently under consideration in the state.
The players
President Donald Trump
The 46th President of the United States, who has taken a hardline stance against transgender rights during his administration.
Sage Blair
A student at Liberty University who was brought to the State of the Union by Trump after her grandmother sued their school district over gender identity issues.
Michele Blair
The grandmother of Sage Blair who sued the Appomattox County school board, claiming her granddaughter 'suffered a psychotic breakdown' after being encouraged by school counselors to embrace a new gender identity.
Equality Virginia
An organization that advocates for LGBTQ rights across the state of Virginia.
Governor Abigail Spanberger
The Democratic governor of Virginia who delivered the response to Trump's State of the Union address, but did not mention LGBTQ issues.
What’s next
The Virginia policy Trump referenced is still under consideration in the state, and the outcome could have significant implications for transgender students' rights.
The takeaway
Trump's continued attacks on transgender youth during his State of the Union address demonstrate the administration's relentless efforts to roll back LGBTQ rights, particularly for vulnerable trans students, through a range of executive actions and legislative proposals.
