Maryland Governor Wes Moore has drawn sharp criticism from the Trump administration after stating he would support his underage son if he wanted to become transgender. Moore, widely considered a top contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, made the remarks during a podcast interview with businessman Patrick Bet-David.
Moore's Stance on Parental Support
When asked how he would respond if his teenage son expressed a desire to transition, Moore replied that he would 'support and love' his child unconditionally. 'I want to make sure that I am involved in understanding where he is, how he's feeling, why he thinks this is important,' Moore said. 'If this is a journey that he wants to go down, I want him to always be comfortable in his own skin and I want him to know that he always has a partner in me.'
Bet-David pressed further, asking if Moore would advise his son to wait until age 18. Moore responded, 'If this is how he is feeling and I feel like I am closely tied to him, I'm not gonna advise him on something he feels.' He emphasized the importance of being involved in the process, even at age 14, but acknowledged that puberty blockers would be 'deeply unfair.' However, he refused to disown or condemn his child, stating, 'I'm not going to kick him out of the house.'
Republican and White House Reactions
Republicans swiftly criticized Moore's comments. The RNC Research X account accused him of supporting 'gender mutilation' for minors. The White House also weighed in, with spokesperson Allison Schuster saying, 'Under the Biden Administration, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex-change surgeries were marketed to children on the basis of ideologically-driven and financially-motivated 'science.' President Trump is returning Gold Standard Science to the center of public health policy.'
Moore's Political Challenges
Moore, a former investment banker and US Army captain, first took office in 2023 and has been a rising star in the Democratic Party. He enjoyed frequent visits from former President Joe Biden and a prominent speaking slot at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. However, his relationship with Maryland lawmakers has been rocky. In December alone, state legislators overrode 19 bills he vetoed. He also faced backlash for vetoing a reparations study bill and for his efforts to redraw the state's congressional map, which some viewed as gerrymandering.
Sources told Axios that some Maryland Democrats find Moore conceited and difficult to connect with. Moore has acknowledged the friction, telling staff, 'I am an outsider at heart — and I don't see that changing.' A spokesperson noted that the governor and legislature can collaborate on many issues, calling the redistricting dispute 'just a disagreement.'
2028 Presidential Prospects
Moore's rocky path could complicate his potential 2028 presidential bid, which is expected to be crowded with other Democratic figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
