Claim:
Former President Donald Trump claims that schools in the United States are sending children for gender-affirming surgeries without their parents’ consent.
Verdict:
False
The Claim:
In late August, former President Trump asserted that schools in the U.S. are facilitating gender-affirming surgeries for students without informing or obtaining consent from their parents. This claim resurfaced in October, with Trump alleging that some schools were “taking children and turning them into another gender without parental consent.” He referenced this scenario during discussions on education policy and reiterated it in an interview with podcast host Joe Rogan, implying that children are undergoing gender-affirming surgeries solely under school direction.
Fact-Check Analysis:
No evidence supports Trump’s claim that schools in the United States are involved in or facilitating gender-affirming surgeries for minors without parental consent. Investigations by multiple news organizations, along with expert opinions, confirm that this scenario is unfounded.
- Official Statements and Evidence:
- Trump’s campaign, when prompted by CNN in September, could not provide any documented cases to substantiate this claim. Four conservative advocacy groups contacted regarding the claim also reported finding no instances of schools arranging or conducting such surgeries.
- Experts in transgender healthcare, such as Dr. Meredithe McNamara from Yale School of Medicine and Dr. Laura Taylor, Medical Director of the Gender Affirming Care Program at the University of Southern California, have categorically stated that no surgeries are performed on minors without the explicit informed consent of their parents or legal guardians.
- Additional Findings:
- Parental consent is legally mandated in the U.S. for any medical procedures involving minors, including gender-affirming surgeries and non-surgical treatments such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers. This protocol aligns with the standards set by professional organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
- Dr. Landon Hughes from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health confirmed that no U.S. provider would perform gender-affirming surgeries under school direction without parental approval, further affirming that such scenarios do not occur within the medical community.
Context:
While schools in some areas have policies to support students’ gender identities, this support primarily revolves around creating an inclusive environment. Controversy exists over how schools handle gender identity discussions, with debates about communication between schools and parents. However, there is no evidence that these policies extend to authorizing medical interventions, especially irreversible surgeries, without parental involvement.
Gender-affirming surgeries are relatively rare for minors in the U.S. and are subject to extensive medical, psychological, and family consultations before proceeding. According to Dr. Taylor, the process is thorough and involves a multi-step psychosocial assessment to ensure informed consent.
Conclusion:
Trump’s claim about schools secretly arranging gender-affirming surgeries for children without parental consent is baseless. Medical experts and available evidence clarify that parental consent is a non-negotiable requirement for such procedures on minors, and no credible instances support this claim. The assertion appears to be part of a broader political narrative rather than a substantiated fact.
Verdict:
False