Morning Wire Podcast Summary: Transgender Issue Unites Voters Ahead of Midterms | April 13, 2025

In the April 13, 2025 episode of Morning Wire titled "Transgender Issue Unites Voters Ahead of Midterms," hosts Georgia Howe and John Bickley delve into the pivotal role the transgender issue plays in shaping voter behavior ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The episode features Terry Schilling, President of the American Principles Project, who presents compelling data from a recent poll highlighting significant public opposition to federal funding for transgender-related medical procedures.

Introduction to the Poll and Its Significance

Georgia Howe opens the discussion by introducing Terry Schilling and the focus of the episode: a new poll conducted by the American Principles Project evaluating American attitudes towards transgender ideology and federal expenditure on transgender healthcare.

Notable Quote:

Terry Schilling [01:18]: "A whopping 65% of America does not want federal tax dollars to be going towards any type of transition surgeries or hormone treatments at all."

Schilling explains that the poll aimed to assess whether Americans support or oppose federal funding for transgender surgeries and hormone treatments. The results indicate a substantial 65% opposition to using taxpayer money for these procedures, underscoring a significant deterrent for Democratic support.

Implications for Federal Funding and Political Strategy

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of the poll for political strategy, particularly for the Democratic Party. Schilling emphasizes the financial dimension, noting that the transgender industry is a lucrative $4.5 billion sector. He warns that profits from this industry are funneled back into lobbying, legislation, and public relations campaigns aimed at ingraining transgender ideology in society.

Notable Quote:

Terry Schilling [02:03]: "We want to protect children. We want to protect parental rights. We call ourselves the NRA, but for families."

Schilling advocates for cutting federal expenditures on transgender-related surgeries and hormone treatments, arguing that this financial reprioritization would protect children and uphold parental rights. He frames the American Principles Project as a defender of the traditional family structure, seeking to defund what he describes as an agenda pushing transgenderism on children through various institutions.

Public Exposure and Growing Opposition

Georgia Howe inquires about the effectiveness of lobbying efforts and the resulting trends in public opinion. Schilling responds by highlighting a paradox: increased exposure to transgender ideology actually fuels greater opposition among Americans.

Notable Quote:

Terry Schilling [03:07]: "The more that Americans are exposed to transgender ideology... the more they oppose it."

He cites the significant rise in public support for policies like President Trump’s 2024 executive order protecting girls' sports, which saw approval jump from 67% to over 78%. This surge demonstrates that active political measures against transgender inclusion in certain areas resonate strongly with the electorate.

Bipartisan Opposition and Potential Voter Shift

The poll reveals that opposition to federally funded transgender procedures spans across party lines, with 42% of Democrats and 43% of Kamala Harris voters opposing such funding. Howe probes whether this bipartisan sentiment could influence voter behavior in the midterms.

Notable Quote:

Terry Schilling [04:00]: "This issue will continue to shift voters to the Republican side by a three to seven point margin, depending on the race."

Schilling asserts that the transgender issue has the potential to sway a significant portion of voters towards the Republican Party. He believes that unless the issue is actively addressed, it will continue to erode Democratic support, as voters prioritize fiscal responsibility and opposition to what they perceive as excessive governmental intervention in personal matters.

Evolving Attitudes Towards Transitioning for Adults and Children

The discussion turns to whether public sentiment is changing regarding gender transitioning for adults, a shift from earlier attitudes that were more permissive towards adult autonomy in these decisions.

Notable Quote:

Terry Schilling [06:05]: "Americans are sick and tired of hearing about it nonstop... the American people are rejecting it."

Schilling contends that the persistent and pervasive promotion of transgender ideology has led to growing fatigue and rejection among Americans. While acknowledging some autonomy for adults, he emphasizes that the core issue remains the opposition to taxpayer-funded support for transitions, reflecting a broader desire to limit government involvement in personal healthcare decisions.

Political Moderation and Future Prospects

Georgia Howe raises the topic of political moderation within the Democratic Party, referencing Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent stance on excluding men from girls' sports as a potential pivot to align with voter sentiments.

Notable Quote:

Terry Schilling [07:02]: "Democrats are in a difficult spot... they have to choose between their base and the swing voters."

Schilling advises that Democrats need to moderate their positions on transgender issues to retain swing voters without alienating their core base. He suggests that demonstrating responsiveness to public opposition by scaling back federal funding for transgender procedures could mitigate political fallout and prevent a significant voter shift toward the Republican side.

Conclusion: The Transgender Issue as a Decisive Electoral Factor

As the episode concludes, Howe and Schilling summarize the critical role the transgender issue plays in the upcoming elections. Schilling reiterates the importance of defunding transgender-related medical procedures to align with majority public opinion and secure necessary fiscal resources for other essential services.

Notable Quote:

Terry Schilling [08:11]: "Let's start cutting this extraneous stuff now, like sex changes for kids, like sex changes for adults, so that we can have enough resources to take care of those that really need the help, like our seniors and like our veterans."

The episode underscores that addressing the transgender issue proactively could be pivotal in influencing voter behavior and determining the balance of power in the midterm elections. Howe and Schilling close by highlighting the ongoing strategic efforts to shape public policy in line with prevailing voter attitudes, setting the stage for a highly contested electoral landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Public Opposition: A significant majority of Americans oppose federal funding for transgender surgeries and hormone treatments, with 65% against such expenditures.

• Political Impact: The transgender issue is identified as a critical factor that could sway 3-7% of voters towards the Republican Party in the 2026 midterms.

• Bipartisan Sentiment: Opposition spans across party lines, including a notable percentage of Democrats and Kamala Harris voters.

• Strategic Moderation: Democrats may need to moderate their stance on transgender issues to retain swing voters and prevent further erosion of their electoral base.

• Long-Term Implications: Addressing or continuing to confront the transgender issue will significantly influence future legislative priorities and party strategies.

Morning Wire provides a comprehensive analysis of how the transgender issue is shaping the political terrain, emphasizing its potential to unify voters and impact the upcoming midterm elections decisively.