USA TODAY International Edition
Caitlyn Jenner: Harder to come out Republican
“It was easy to come out as trans. It was hard to come out as Republican,” Caitlyn Jenner said outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Wednesday morning.
She was mostly joking but had a point: Other than Donald Trump, she was the most famous celebrity to touch down in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention. ( She wasn’t actually speaking on the convention floor.)
Attendees at the event, which was put together by a conservative group called the American Unity Fund and featured remarks from TV host Montel Williams, cheered for Jenner. “Thank you, thank you, but they already nominated Donald last night,” she said. “But I can make a difference.”
Jenner spoke with American Unity Fund President Margaret Hoover on stage at the socalled Big Tent Brunch and answered questions about whether she’s a “real Republican.”
The short answer: Yes. The longer story: Though President Obama’s administration has made strides for the trans community, Jenner’s political views have much to do with the fact that her father served in the military, “and if my dad knew what was going on in this country when he fought so hard, I think he’d be very disappointed.” She continued: “Because of that, I feel like our best hope to get back to a constitutional government ... is a Republican Party. ... I’m not giving up on this country. I’m not giving up on this Constitution. I want jobs for everybody.”