VMA invite for banned trans troops

MTV HAS extended an invitation for transgender service members to attend its annual Video Music Awards show amid President Trump’s decision to kick them out of the military, CNN reported Thursday.

A Pentagon spokesman confirmed the report, telling CNN it’s reviewing the request.

“MTV has requested service member participation for this year’s MTV VMAs,” Lt. Col. Paul Haverstick said of the Video Music Awards. “At this time, the Department of Defense is reviewing the parameters of the request.”

Military guidelines restrict active service members from participating in highly publicized public events, especially those containing political commentary.

The network’s decision appears to be a direct response to Trump’s proposed transgender service ban, which he announced via Twitter on July 26.

Trump’s decision, announced without specifics on how the ban would be put into effect, took the military and the country by surprise and drew swift rebuke. “Every patriotic American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to serve. Full stop,” former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called Trump’s directive “inappropriate,” citing a Pentagon study on the matter.