“Restore Patriotic Education to Our Schools”: Trump Pledges To Withdraw Funding From Schools Teaching Critical Race Theory if Elected

Jo ShawNov 28, 2023

Minute Read

Trump has consistently promised to cut funding for schools that incorporate Critical Race Theory (CRT) in his numerous presidential rallies held throughout the nation. He reiterated this commitment in states like Iowa and New Hampshire. While figures within the GOP, including the new House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump’s rival, Florida Governor DeSantis, have joined in criticizing the LGBTQ community. How is the public reacting as a whole to the constant berating of this community?

Any School That Pushes Transgender Insanity

In an early rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, in May, Trump declared to his crowd of supporters, “On day one, I will sign a new executive order to cut Federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children.”

Trump Will Support Parents Rights

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At the Manchester rally, he also stated to his followers, “I will also support parents’ rights…Can you believe I’m saying I will support parents’ rights?… Who wouldn’t support that?”

Give Parental Rights Back

He delivered his pledge again at another rally in New Hampshire, this time in October, in Derry, “..we’re going to give parental rights back in our schools. Who would think they’ve taken it away? They’re arresting parents. They’re arresting parents,” Trump ranted.

Trump Reiterated His Previous Pledges

Trump continued his promise to “sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity, and any other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.” His promises matched word for word.

Stop the Radical Indoctrination of Our Students

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At a Florida Campaign in October, Trump declared he would “stop the radical indoctrination of our students and restore patriotic education to our schools.”

In God We Trust

He continued his speech to the crowds, “We will teach our children to love our country, honor our history and always respect our great American flag. We live by the timeless words of our national motto, in God we trust.”

Trump Repeated His Campaign Message in Iowa

And again, in Iowa, he declared that “this is what must be done to save our country from destruction” during his speech addressing education. He then continued his usual pledge to “cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory” and “transgender insanity.”

Marxist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

However, Trump’s pledges started earlier in his campaign. At a CPAC event in March, Trump declared, “On day one, I will revoke Joe Biden’s crazy executive order installing Marxist diversity, equity, and inclusion in every federal agency, and I will immediately terminate all staffers hired to implement this horrible agenda.”

Another Parade of Far-Right Extremism and Hate

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It has been a rallying cry to his avid supporters and those against teaching diversity and gender equality in schools. Before the GOP candidates debate in Florida in early November, Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, responded by issuing a statement, “Tonight’s debate won’t be about the legitimate concerns of everyday folks. Instead, we expect to see another parade of far-right extremism and hate from the candidates on the stage.” She was referring to Trump’s rivals, pushing similar pledges.

Targeting the LGBTQ+ Community

Robinson continued, “This field of presidential hopefuls continues to target the LGBTQ+ community through their homophobic, transphobic campaigns while promising a continued assault on access to healthcare and equity for transgender people.” She then added, “But we are watching their plan to scapegoat and demonize our community actively fail.”

Americans Are Rejecting Attacks

The President of the Human Rights Campaign continued her statement, “The American people continue to reject their divisive politics and baseless attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, women, immigrants, and people of color.”

Materials on Gender Identity Should Be Included in Libraries

Earlier this month, the Human Rights Campaign Press Release highlighted the public views concerning LGBTQ communities and content in schools. They cited numerous polls in their report. The press release cited a Grinnell College National Poll from March: “When asked if middle school libraries should include materials related to “gender identity” (57% “should”) and “sexual orientation” (56%), the majority of Americans believe this content should be available.”

Americans Worried About Valuable Materials Being Removed

They also pointed out that in the same poll, Americans were more worried that “materials that could be valuable to students will be removed from school libraries (62%.)”

Voters Less Likely to Back Candidate That Supports Book Bans

The report indicated that “officials who support curriculum censorship and book bans” could face serious issues in the upcoming election. The report pointed to an Ipsos poll in April showing that “More than six in 10 Americans say they would be less likely to back a candidate who “supports policies that ban books in schools and in school libraries on subject matter that deals with sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”

Too Many Laws Limiting Rights

The following survey they cited was a Data For Progress survey, which showed that “Polling indicates that 64% of all likely voters, including 72% of Democrats, 65% of Independents, and 55% of Republicans, think that there is ‘too much legislation’ aimed at ‘limiting the rights of transgender and gay people in America.’”

Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation a Political Theater

The Press Release also said that the public viewed “GOP efforts to flood state legislatures with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as political theater.”

Too Much Focus On Transgender Issues

Another September polling by The 19th and SurveyMonkey, showed that “Americans would prefer that politicians either protect transgender people or not focus on transgender issues at all.”

Politicians Focus On Gender-Affirming Care

“Only 17% of Americans, and only 29% of Republicans, say politicians should focus on restricting gender-affirming care,” the press release continued to highlight the public views.

Masquerading as Moral Police Officers

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The Human Rights Campaign report highlighted a quote from Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who stated, “Intolerance is not a good look on anyone. I remain optimistic that voters will see through this charade and will encourage their elected officials to solve the real problems of America instead of masquerading as Moral Police Officers.”