JD Vance Faces Backlash Over Claims on Transgender College Admissions

The Republican vice-presidential nominee's remarks on a popular podcast have sparked controversy and condemnation from advocacy groups and former associates.

JD Vance suggested on Joe Rogan's podcast that some parents might encourage their children to identify as transgender to gain an advantage in elite college admissions.
Vance's claims were criticized as false and baseless by LGBTQ advocacy groups, highlighting the lack of evidence and the challenges transgender students face in higher education.
Sofia Nelson, a former friend of Vance, called his comments 'outrageous' and emphasized the real struggles of transgender individuals in America.
The Trump-Vance campaign has made anti-transgender rhetoric a central theme, spending heavily on ads targeting trans-inclusive policies supported by their opponents.
Media figures like Anderson Cooper have mocked Vance's remarks, questioning his distinction between 'normal' and 'not normal' within the LGBTQ community.