Over the weekend, Make America Great Again, Inc., aired a new Trump ad proclaiming, “Crazy liberal Kamala’s for they/them. President Trump is for you.” In addition to the now-familiar bigoted scaremongering about immigrants and queer people, the ad also featured clips of Harris with Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness and environmentalist drag queen Pattie Gonia. Now Jonathan Van Ness would like to make clear that they did not approve this message.
“I saw myself in a Trump tv ad today and its … surreal,” they wrote on Instagram. “Kind of iconic, but mostly upsetting. In this commercial Trump villifies immigrants, trans people, and queer people generally.”
Van Ness wrote, “As a non binary person whenever I’m presented with a binary choice I’m immediately leery. But in this election its really about moving forward in all the messy imperfection and trying to trust each other again,” going on to encourage followers to “choose hope over fear” and “faith over blame.” Van Ness previously endorsed Harris with an Instagram post in July, captioning a selfie with Harris: “I believe Vice President Harris will be President Harris! She has what it takes to lead an America that is safe, prosperous, and equitable for all!”
Gonia also responded with an Instagram reel. “No, the Trump campaign did not have my permission to use my name or likeness. Yes, we are reviewing our legal options,” Gonia said and used the occasion as an opportunity to collect donations for Trans Lifeline and Point of Pride, two organizations that provide lifesaving support to the trans community.
