President Joe Biden faced severe criticism over his official White House proclamation designating March 31 as "Transgender Day of Visibility," which coincided with Easter this year.
The White House proclamation sparked controversy, given the religious significance of Easter Sunday. The conspiracy was created after the White House issued a proclamation recognising "Transgender Day of Visibility" on March 31, the same day as Easter this year. House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the action, labelling it as "outrageous" and a betrayal of Easter's central significance.
Speaking at the White House’s annual Easter Egg Roll on Monday, Biden said, "I didn't do that." Reporters questioned Biden about House Speaker Mike Johnson's criticism of the proclamation as Johnson accused the White House of betraying the central tenet of Easter.
“Speaker Johnson said you betrayed the tenet of Easter by proclaiming Sunday, Easter Sunday as Transgender Day,” Owen Jensen, EWTN’s White House correspondent, asked. “He called it outrageous and abhorrent. What do you have to say to Speaker Johnson?”
Responding to the query, Biden distanced himself from the decision of proclamation, saying, "I didn't do that." When pressed further by Owen Jensen, EWTN’s White House correspondent, Biden reiterated "I didn't do that," and that Speaker Johnson was "thoroughly uninformed."
The clash continued on social media where Johnson fired back at the president after his remarks. He posted a screenshot of the proclamation.
Other social media users also condemned Biden. “Hey [Biden,]” Robby Starbuck, an American music video director, tweeted. “You not only ‘did that’ as you can see in the White House news announcement below but you posted it right here on [Twitter.]”
“As if what you did wasn’t bad enough, now you’re gaslighting America. You’re insane, incompetent, evil or maybe all 3,” Starbuck continued.
Despite the uproar, the White House stood by its proclamation, highlighting the importance of visibility and recognition for the transgender community on this significant day. The White House spokesperson defended Biden's remarks and said that the president did not select March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility as this proclamation has been issued annually since 2021.
“President Biden is right. He did nothing in conflict with the ‘tenets’ of Easter, which he celebrated yesterday,” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said. “Nor did he choose the dates of March 31 for Transgender Day of Visibility, which has been set since 2009 – including in 2020 and 2021 when FOX itself commented on Transgender Day of Visibility itself.”
The White House issued several other proclamations simultaneously, including Cesar Chavez Day and National Donate Life Month. However, the timing of the Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation alongside Easter fueled widespread Christian outrage, with many deeming it disrespectful.
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