Melania Trump is now extending a hand to conservative queers, in the hope of mobilizing a group of voters who have largely been negative towards her husband and presidential candidate Donald Trump, reports ABC News.
The 53-year-old announced the sweeping maneuver on Saturday, during a major fundraiser at the Trump couple’s Florida country home, Mar-a-Lago.
Startling
According to Bill White in the event committee, Melania’s LGBTQ+ efforts will be among the former first lady’s main tasks in the run-up to the election. The hope is to mobilize enough queer voters in swing states so that it turns out in Donald’s favour.
There are at least two startling aspects of the measure. One is that Melania in general is now being given a prominent role in the election campaign, after keeping a rather low profile in 2016 and 2020.
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The second is the flirtation with queer environments.
– They hear us, they see us, and they love us, stated White – himself gay – during the fundraiser in Palm Beach.
Outclassed by Biden
It is a poorly hidden secret that Trump does not have a large fan base in queer communities in the United States. During the 2020 election, rival Joe Biden mobilized 64 percent of voters who identify themselves as LGBTQ+ – against Trump’s staggering 24 percent.
In 2016, it went even worse, even though Trump ran away with the victory. At the time, he only managed to get support from 14 percent.
The White House removed its gay rights page after Trump’s inauguration
Then there is the question of whether the charm offensive is successful – Trump distinguished himself early in his presidency against queers: Among other things, the White House’s page on LGBTQ+ rights disappeared shortly after he took office, and even before he was elected, he was known as an opponent of same-sex marriage.
Trump has repeatedly marked his distance towards transgender people, and in 2019 had a ban on serving in the military for people from the group, citing, among other things, that they would appear “disruptive” in service. Joe Biden abolished the ban shortly after taking office in 2021.
Heavy support
However, he has always had the support of a group of Republican LGBTQ+ voters – called Log Cabin Republicans – who hail him as the most LGBTQ+-friendly president ever.
– We are gay Republicans, and we vote for Trump. He is the best and only choice in this election when it comes to our health, progress and safety, says White.
HEAVYWEIGHTS: Richard Grenell is among the top gay Republican politicians who are giving their support to Trump. Photo: Darko Vojinovic / AP / NTB
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Former ambassador to Germany and intelligence chief Richard Grenell is among the heavyweights among the Log Cabin Republicans who stand behind the message.
– He sees you as 100 percent equal – it’s up to you to be responsible, hardworking and successful. Anyone who tells you that you are oppressed in the United States, or that you need special deals because you are gay, is only trying to control you, says Grenell.
The Trump couple have a long history of working with the Log Cabin Republicans. In 2022, Donald hosted a big gala at Mar-a-Lago, where he made the announcement.
– We fight for the gay community, and we fight hard.
