In a fiercely funny skit, actress and activist Laverne Cox took center stage to address the Republican Party’s continued weaponization of transphobia. She blended sharp political commentary with her signature humor.
In an exclusive The Daily Show clip Obtained by EW, Cox left no stone unturned as she gutted the GOP’s anti-trans agenda. Additionally, the Republican Party has been ramping up its anti-trans rhetoric in recent years, particularly targeting trans youth through harmful legislation. So, Cox’s call to change is much needed.
Laverne Cox Takes On Republican Transphobia
According to Laverne Cox, the party has spent a staggering $65 million since August alone on anti-trans TV ads. As she put it, “Do you know how disappointing it is for someone to finally spend $65 million on me and it’s for this crap? I didn’t want hateful attack ads. I wanted a house in the Hills with six walk-in closets!”
While Cox’s humor had the audience laughing, she didn’t shy away from addressing the seriousness of the situation. She connected the dots between anti-trans messaging and the rise in anti-trans violence and suicides. Additionally, Cox called out the hypocrisy of anti-trans politicians.
“If you had told me anti-trans politicians were secretly watching and loving — trans porn, I would’ve said, ‘Duh,’” she stated. She referenced a revelation that Mark Robinson, a GOP candidate, was a huge consumer of trans pornography. However, she also made it clear that the over-sexualization of trans people also played a part in oppression.
“Turning us into sex objects is just another way of dehumanizing us,” she explained. She highlighted how trans people are often reduced to fetish objects by the same individuals who seek to erase their rights. She calls for an end to this harmful dehumanization.
Laverne Cox Highlights The Highest Searches For Trans Pornography Occurs In Red States
Laverne Cox, to prove her point, also included facts in her skit. She presented a map that showed the highest searches for trans pornography occurred in predominantly red states. Ironically enough, the red states are the regions most politically hostile toward trans people.
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With her signature blend of sass and sincerity, Cox joked, “We see you. We see all of you. All we ask is that you see us, too. And that you pull your damn pants up.” By pointing out this hypocrisy, Cox exposed a troubling truth. Moreover, she wanted to prove that many Republicans push anti-trans legislation to score political points.
However, they are also the ones engaging in the very behaviors they publicly condemn. This hypocrisy not only fuels a culture of hate but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes that hurt the very communities they claim to protect. Her message was clear: it’s time to move beyond transphobia and start focusing on the real issues that matter. In her words, “Stop dehumanizing us. Start rehumanizing each other.”
