Nikki Haley Blames Trans Visibility for Teen Girls' Suicide Ideation

Speaking in New Hampshire Wednesday morning, Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley called transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney “a guy, dressed up like a girl, making fun of women” and blamed trans visibility for teen girls’ suicide ideation.

She also called trans women in women’s sports “the women’s issue of our time.”

Haley was speaking at the “Politics & Eggs” event hosted by Saint Anselm College in Manchester. “Politics & Eggs” is a series designed to give area business leaders a chance to meet with presidential candidates in the state that hosts the nation’s earliest presidential primary. Video of her anti-trans remarks was posted to YouTube by The Recount.

“We’ve got biological boys playing in girls’ sports,” said Haley, who has been governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. “It is the women’s issue of our time. Where is everyone? My daughter ran track in high school. I wouldn’t even know how to have that conversation with her. How do we get our girls comfortable with biological boys in their locker room? It’s not OK.”

“Everybody know about Dylan Mulvaney? Bud Light, right?” she continued, referring to Mulvaney’s recent promotional partnership with the beer brand, which sparked right-wing outrage. “Make no mistake: That is a guy, dressed up like a girl, making fun of women. Women don’t act like that. Yet everybody’s wondering why a third of our teenage girls seriously contemplated suicide last year? What are we doing to them? We’re supposed to be growing strong girls, confident girls, not ones being made fun of.”

Nikki Haley links Dylan Mulvaney and rise in teen girls seriously contemplating suicide #shortswww.youtube.com

Haley’s anti-trans comments were met with silence. Earlier in her speech, she received “a muted response” when she discussed her stance against abortion rights, saying she is “unapologetically pro-life,” The Daily Beast reports.

This isn’t the first time she’s used anti-trans rhetoric. In 2021, she wrote a National Review commentary in which she said that allowing trans girls and women to compete in female sports was “an attack on women’s rights.” The following year, her state, with Henry McMaster as governor, enacted a law barring trans females from female sports in public schools and state colleges and universities.

Haley's record on LGBTQ+ issues in general is abysmal. In February, she said Florida’s “don’t say gay” law doesn’t go far enough. She also opposed marriage equality as both South Carolina state representative and governor. Additionally, she rejected matching funds for a program offering HIV medication to lower-income patients.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be, resources are available to help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 is for people of all ages and identities. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.