President Donald Trump issued a memorandum Friday night banning transgender persons from military service “except under certain limited circumstances.” And critics are convinced it’s at least partly intended to distract from his personal scandals, like the reported affair between Trump and porn star Stormy Daniels.
“Among other things, the policies set forth by the Secretary of Defense state that transgender persons with a history of diagnosis of gender dysphoria — individuals who the policies state may require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery — are disqualified from military service except under certain limited circumstances,” the president wrote in a memorandum released to the public.
The news came late on Friday night, traditionally a dumping ground for news people hope will be quickly forgotten. But cynics noted this announcement comes ahead of Sunday night’s “60 Minutes” interview with adult film star Stormy Daniels (whose real name is Stephanie Clifford). Her attorney, Michael Avenatti, has teased that his client is sitting on a secret regarding the sexual relationship the actress says she had with Trump.
Here’s just a small sampling of the naysayers:
Distraction Alert! pic.twitter.com/XBCvayEM0N
— Dolores Childs (@Queensrain226) March 24, 2018
Please don’t give this wings! Been here done ??” this already! He @POTUS pulls out the oldies but goodies as DISTRACTIONS! @AMarch4OurLives @StormyDaniels #Mueller @WhiteHouse #TrashFire @MichaelAvenatti
— Relly (@Rellyluvsfairen) March 24, 2018
Deflection from Never Again March tomorrow. Ignore Trump for 24 hours.
— Kenneth Donnelly (@Kenneth58837057) March 24, 2018
Do I see a stormy Daniels caustic and cruel trump distraction here? This man is HORRIBLE! He did this AGAINST Mattis’s wishes just because he’s PISSED that Fox News is PISSED that he signed that funding bill today!
— Really?!! (@MichNazz) March 24, 2018
It’s going to be a Stormy weekend!
Or is it infrastructure week?— McKenzi (@kenziwantsmore) March 24, 2018
There’s no distraction that will stop stormy
— Mike (@25nowfor45) March 24, 2018
Distraction tactic. #MuellerTime
— Alison Leigh (@AlisonLeigh22) March 24, 2018
#Breaking: Trump moves to ban most transgender troops https://t.co/Sc6kkLmEED pic.twitter.com/utgcfuDkNz
— POLITICO (@politico) March 24, 2018
Lol now he is trying everything to get his scandals out of the news
— Denis Beganovic (@Beganovic_85) March 24, 2018
Deflection. It’s going to get worse – we have 48 hours to go.
— DaisyMae (@daisydo13) March 24, 2018