Time magazine was forced to issue a correction after incorrectly reporting that Donald Trump’s statement about Vice President Kamala Harris supporting taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained migrants was false. The statement came under scrutiny following Tuesday night’s ABC News Presidential Debate.
During the debate, Trump criticized Harris for her previous position, accusing her of advocating for “transgender operations on illegal aliens who are in prison.” This remark was a reference to Harris’ 2019 pledge, made during her first presidential campaign, to support gender transition treatments for detained migrants.
Initially, Time magazine labeled Trump’s statement as “false.” However, the publication later corrected its coverage, acknowledging that Harris had indeed expressed support for taxpayer-funded gender transition care in a 2019 American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) candidate questionnaire.
In its correction, Time stated, “The original version of this story mischaracterized as false Donald Trump’s statement accusing Kamala Harris of supporting ‘transgender operations on illegal aliens in prison.’ As a presidential candidate in 2019, Harris filled out a questionnaire saying she supported taxpayer-funded gender transition treatment for detained immigrants.”
Trump’s debate comment quickly sparked reactions from media commentators and journalists. Marc Lamont Hill, a former CNN commentator, expressed disbelief, writing on social media, “She wants to do transgender operations on illegal aliens who are in prison’ is the WILDEST thing I’ve ever heard in any debate. EVER.” Similarly, The New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser mocked Trump’s remarks, describing them as “memorable,” but adding confusion over his point.
Despite the initial pushback, it was revealed that Harris had indeed committed to supporting such policies as part of her platform. In the 2019 ACLU questionnaire, Harris stated, “I support policies ensuring that federal prisoners and detainees are able to obtain medically necessary care for gender transition, including surgical care, while incarcerated or detained.” Harris also pointed to her efforts as California Attorney General to provide gender transition surgery to state inmates.
The resurfacing of Harris’ 2019 stance has reignited debate over her past positions and whether she has since walked back certain pledges. CNN senior editor Andrew Kaczynski brought the issue back into the spotlight, reporting on the questionnaire and discussing the implications of her earlier policy views on Monday night.
Erin Burnett of CNN, upon hearing the details, expressed shock at Harris’ past support for taxpayer-funded surgeries, saying, “Taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained migrants? She actually said she supported that?”
