'Fox and Friends' host criticized after referring to Vermont gubernatorial candidate as 'that transgender'
Christine Hallquist made history Tuesday when she became the first openly transgender gubernatorial candidate nominated by a major political party in the United States. Hallquist, who is running as a progressive Democrat in Vermont, was celebrated by many for her groundbreaking victory — except over at Fox News.
During Wednesday’s episode of Fox & Friends, host Ainsley Earhardt casually referred to Hallquist on-air as “that transgender.” She seemingly mocked the campaign, saying that Hallquist ran against a teenager.
In a segment recapping primary victories across the country, Earhardt declared, “That transgender beat the 14-year-old. Remember, they didn’t have an age limit? So the 14-year-old said, ‘Well, I’m gonna run’ and ran in the primary. Didn’t win.”
Earhardt is referring to 14-year-old Ethan Sonneborn, one of four Democratic gubernatorial candidates who was on the ballot for Vermont’s primary election. Vermont has no age limit, only requiring that candidates have lived in the state for the past four years.
Earhardt was slammed on Twitter for her insensitive comment about Hallquist. Chelsea Clinton even chimed in.
Her name is Christine Hallquist. More about her here: https://t.co/6zaFuDnecO https://t.co/LaLYrOJp74
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) August 15, 2018
Did I miss the tweet congratulating the nation’s first transgender candidate to win a party’s Gubernatorial primary? The one the blonde on Fox & Friends this morning actually called “the transgender”? And yes, I’m going to refer to her as the blonde because a) I truly don’t know
— Steve Holzer (@TheSteveHolzer) August 15, 2018
Watch: Fox News Reports on First Transgender Person to Become a Gubernatorial Nominee in the Worst Way – https://t.co/n2ASRI36FV
— Harold Hughes (@rainbowharold) August 15, 2018
@SamWiseSW@foxandfriends
“That transgender” is the Fox News deplorables equivalent for “That dog”.
That’s how these MAGA people show their “respect” for blacks and minorities.— Anne “Secret Society of Stable Geniuses “Louise (@Anne_Lou2u) August 15, 2018
You can’t expect common decency from anybody on fake Fox News. Her name is #ChristineHallquest. Love it that transgender won. #BlueWaveIshere https://t.co/XB7MV5ic1L
— Linda Perkins-Moore (@AttorneyLPMoore) August 15, 2018
That. Transgender. Wow. Fox with the respect and class. Not.
— Kelli Shafer 🇺🇸 (@HatefulAngel) August 15, 2018
Chelsea’s tweet caught the attention of Hallquist, who appreciated the former first daughter’s support. Hallquist also clarified her pronouns as “she, her, and hers.”
Thanks @ChelseaClinton – we’re so excited by the letters of support we’re receiving from across the country everyday! Together, we’ll realign America’s moral compass.
-Christine
Pronouns: she, her, hers https://t.co/qupR2dCFIA
— Christine Hallquist (@christineforvt) August 15, 2018
Earhardt has apologized, saying she “never meant anything derogatory” and that it was a slip-up.
“I was responding to the reporter’s comments when I moved too quickly and couldn’t recall Christine Hallquist’s name,” Earhardt tells The Wrap. “As a person of faith, I sincerely promise I never ever meant anything derogatory, and I am sorry it may have come off that way.”
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