President Donald Trump has sparked backlash online after making a mock impression of trans athletes during a recent speech. The moment has been widely shared on social media, with many viewers calling it embarrassing and offensive.
The clip shows Trump imitating how he believes a female weightlifter competes, before contrasting it with a trans athlete. The imitation lasted only a few seconds but quickly drew strong reactions.
Some of Trump’s supporters defended the moment, calling it humorous and praising his delivery. Others questioned whether the video was real or generated by artificial intelligence.
After confirming the clip came from a speech at a Republican retreat on January 6, critics responded with anger. Several users on X described the impression as disrespectful and inappropriate, particularly toward the trans community.
The controversy also revived discussion about Trump’s public behaviour. During the same speech, Trump admitted that First Lady Melania Trump dislikes his dancing and once told him it looked “unpresidential.”
The incident has added to ongoing debate about Trump’s rhetoric and its impact, especially on marginalised groups, as reactions continue to spread online.
