First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced backlash on Wednesday for presenting an Argentinean biological male with an award for women on International Women’s Day. The annual International Women of Courage Awards ceremony at the White House this year honored 11 women who are working to create a better future. Argentinean Alba Rueda was recognized at the ceremony as a “transgender woman who was kicked out of classrooms, barred for sitting for exams, refused job opportunities, subjected to violence, and rejected by her family. But in the face of these challenges, she worked to end violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ plus community in Argentina.”
The decision to bestow a women’s award upon a person who was born a man was criticized by commentators on Twitter. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders from Arkansas said, “It’s International Women’s Day – a good time to remember that Democrats can’t even tell you what a woman is.” Conservative Twitter personality Andrea Katherine wrote in reply, “International Women’s Day: Not just for women anymore.” News commentator and former congressional nominee Karoline Leavitt asked, “Why are the Democrats working overtime to push the trans agenda?” Republican National Hispanic Assembly national editorial board member and podcaster Jennifer Barreto-Leyva tweeted, “This is disgraceful and unacceptable!”
The Dana Show host, Dana Loesch, tweeted, “Nice of FLOTUS to encourage the diminishment of women on ‘international women’s day.’ Erasing women is abusive.” Townhall columnist and radio personality Derek Hunter joked, “Apparently men are a lot better at being women than women are. Step up your game, ladies.” Christopher Bedford, Common Sense Society’s President, responded, “We are not a serious country.” Claremont Institute President Ryan P. Williams tweeted, “The jokes write themselves…” and RedState author and author Buzz Patterson wrote, “Nothing screams ‘International Women of Courage Award’ like a dude.”