Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), the nation’s first openly trans-identifying member of Congress, criticized Fox News Tuesday for referring to him as a “Transgender Democrat” while reporting on his recent comments about President Donald Trump.
McBride called the descriptor “identity politics,” arguing that his gender identity had no bearing on the substance of his claims regarding Trump’s actions.
In a social media post, McBride emphasized that the focus should remain on the president’s policies and conduct.
“What does my identity have to do with the fact that Trump is trying to manipulate our elections? Nothing—unless you’re obsessed with identity politics,” he wrote on X.
He stressed that his critiques of Trump are rooted in defending democratic integrity and election security, urging the public and media alike to focus on policy rather than personal identity.
The Fox News headline in question summarized McBride’s assertion that Trump is engaged in what he described as an “all-out assault” on American democracy.
The article also cited the lawmaker’s warning that Trump is “taking notes from his favorite dictator.”
McBride’s frustration stemmed from the network’s emphasis on his gender rather than the content and significance of his statements about electoral procedures and democratic norms.
McBride has consistently been a vocal critic of Trump and his administration’s policies.
He has opposed efforts to overhaul election procedures, including proposals to restrict mail-in voting and voting machine usage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
McBride contends that such policies undermine the fairness of elections, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and raising concerns about voter access and election integrity.
In addition to national disputes, McBride has frequently clashed with conservative colleagues, many of whom continue to refer to him by male pronouns despite his public identity.
These interactions often involve debates over “trans” rights, broader social policy and the role of identity in politics.
McBride maintains that acknowledging his gender identity is not only a matter of personal integrity but also of transparency and representation in Congress.
Reactions online have been sharply divided.
Some critics argue that emphasizing gender distracts from substantive policy discussions, with one comment reading, “If you struggle with your identity, I question whether you should be setting election policy.”
Another read, “You make the whole transgender thing your identity, you’d of been more upset if they didn’t mention your transgenderism.”
Supporters counter that acknowledging his identity provides important context and illustrates the unique challenges faced by trans-identifying politicians operating in high-profile, traditionally conservative spaces.
Media analysts note that outlets like Fox News frequently identify politicians by party affiliation—terms such as “Republican Senator” or “Democrat Governor” are standard—to provide context for readers, Trending Politics reports.
Some observers contend that McBride’s gender was irrelevant to the coverage, while others argue it informs audiences of his perspective and lived experience, which shapes his approach to policymaking and advocacy.
This controversy reflects the broader tension in American politics between identity and policy.
McBride continues to press for attention to the substance of his critiques, challenging media outlets to separate personal characteristics from public service actions.
At the same time, the debate highlights how identity politics remain a highly charged topic in media coverage, public discourse and congressional representation.
As the 2026 midterms approach, McBride’s focus on election security and voting rights has drawn scrutiny, with many questioning whether public officials whose identities dominate their platform are prioritizing policy over politics.
The post ‘Trans’ Congressman Fires Back at Fox News Over ‘Identity Politics’ Headline appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Gloriel Howard
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://resistthemainstream.org and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.