Stephen Colbert Critiques Trump Administration Over Lack of Pride Month Declaration

CBS’s Stephen Colbert took aim at the Trump administration during his show, highlighting the absence of a Pride Month Declaration. In a recent segment, he walked out to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after the renaming of a U.S. Navy ship to honor Harvey Milk, before delving further into his critique.

Colbert pointedly remarked, “This is shortsighted and, honestly, not surprising.” He noted that since the beginning of Trump’s presidency, there have been significant rollbacks on LGBTQ rights. This includes the prohibition of transgender individuals from serving in the military and cuts to LGBTQ health funding. He emphasized the administration’s decision not to issue a Pride Month Declaration this June.

In a sardonic tone, Colbert questioned the administration’s compassion on this issue, suggesting, “The White House seems to have less humanity than a Buffalo bill, and ‘Happy Pride! Feel all the Buffalo!'” He reflected on how even organizations like the NFL express love and support for the LGBTQ community.

The comments came a day after it was announced that Trump would not recognize June as Pride Month or dedicate it to any particular groups or causes. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt stated there would be no June declaration during a media briefing.

According to reports, Trump had not issued a Pride Month declaration during his first term, although in 2019, he did acknowledge efforts to decriminalize homosexuality globally through social media.

Historically, former President Clinton made the first presidential proclamation for “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month” in 1999, while Barack Obama later expanded it in 2011 to include bisexual and transgender individuals.