Former Donald Trump Adviser Blasts MAGA 'Liars' Over Easter Fury

A onetime adviser to Donald Trump has called out the former president's MAGA supporters for suggesting President Joe Biden purposely made Easter the Transgender Day of Visibility.

The day, designed to celebrate those in the transgender community and raise awareness of the discrimination they continue to face, started in 2009. This year, it has coincided with Easter, which usually falls between March 22 and April 25 every year. The holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon on or following the spring equinox.

The White House released a statement about it on Sunday. "On Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans and reaffirm our nation's commitment to forming a more perfect Union—where all people are created equal and treated equally throughout their lives," it said.

"Today, we send a message to all transgender Americans: You are loved. You are heard. You are understood. You belong. You are America, and my entire administration and I have your back," it continued. "NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility."

In response to the statement, some MAGA activists hit out at Biden, claiming the president had made the days coincide on purpose.

Trump's national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, called it "appalling and insulting" that Biden "formally proclaimed Easter Sunday as 'Trans Day of Visibility'" in a statement on Saturday. Leavitt said the president's announcement is an example of his administration's "years-long assault on the Christian faith."

Republican Rep. Alex Mooney echoed the statement, calling Biden's proclamation "a direct assault on Christianity."

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called it "a slap in the face to every American."

But A.J. Delgado, formerly a senior adviser to the Trump presidential campaign in 2016, explained that the celebrations falling on the same day this year was a coincidence.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, she said: "For those of you with an IQ higher than 50 (this excludes much of MAGA), or ethics higher than a con-artist (this excludes much of MAGA), let me explain to you their latest bulls*** re Easter," she said.

"You'll see a lot of liars or low-IQ influencers shrieking that Biden has declared Easter as 'transgender visibility day,' linking to a White House statement acknowledging March 31st as Transgender Visibility Day."

"This year, Easter happens to fall on March 31st. (It falls on a different day each year—sometimes in March, sometimes in April)," she said. "They're taking this and claiming that Biden has turned Easter into a day to celebrate trans. After all, he picked to make this 'March 31st = trans day' proclamation on the one year where March 31st is the day Easter falls on. OK, let's explore that."

"That, too, leads you to the land of the stupid and/or liars," she added.

"Because, a 5-second Google search reveals Biden didn't choose 'March 31st' as trans day. Rather, that tradition started a DECADE ago."

"But wait, it gets better," she said. "Not only did 'March 31st = trans visibility day' start a decade ago (and no, it wasn't Biden and his advisers sitting around, deliberately picking the day on which Easter falls this year)... but also...Biden has issued these March 31st proclamations every year he's been in office."

"Was Biden supposed to ABSTAIN from issuing a [statement] in support of trans-visibility THIS year (even though he's issued the [statement] every other year, for March 31st), just [because], randomly, Easter happens to fall on March 31st this year?" she asked.

Newsweek has contacted Delgado via email for further comment.

White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told Newsweek via email on Saturday afternoon: "As a Christian who celebrates Easter with family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American. Sadly, it's unsurprising politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit."