TL;DR
- Gay Rep. Mark Pocan says Trump’s tariff tantrums are hurting Americans and Canadians
- Calls Trump’s demolition of the White House East Wing a symbol of democratic decay
- Warns millions could lose health care under “Big Ugly Law”
- Says government shutdown leaves federal workers unpaid and unappreciated
- Accuses GOP of partying while Americans suffer
Trump’s Trade War? Gay Rep Says It’s a Wreck
Democratic congressman Mark Pocan — one of the highest-ranking openly gay lawmakers in the country and cochair of the Congressional Equality Caucus — is done playing nice with Donald Trump’s “wrecking ball” approach to governing. In a fiery appearance on CNN, the Wisconsin representative unloaded on Trump’s economic chaos, White House destruction, and shutdown antics that he says are leaving both Americans and LGBTQ communities in the crossfire.
“You can’t throw tariffs around indiscriminately,” Pocan warned, telling CNN’s Sara Sidner that Trump’s raging at Canada over an ad clip of Ronald Reagan isn’t just petty — it’s expensive. Groceries cost more, durable goods cost more, inflation is up — and Trump’s trade war is hitting every household like a surprise Grindr hookup you instantly regret. “People are paying too much,” he said bluntly, adding that Trump “needs to be more mature” and get back to the negotiating table.
Pocan reminded viewers that Congress should be handling tariffs — not a president making copycat dictatorship cosplay. “Take away this irresponsible use of tariffs,” he said. “Let’s get back to helping lower the cost for Americans.”
Democracy, Demolished — Literally
Then there’s Trump’s latest home-renovation nightmare: demolishing the White House East Wing to make room for a ballroom. Yes, a ballroom. Nothing screams “servant of the people” like bulldozing history for better party space.
“They did all the tearing down, and now they’re going to get permission to build,” Pocan said, baffled. “You probably should get permission before you’ve torn down the East Wing.”
He called it a “visual metaphor” for Trump’s treatment of democracy — destroying first, asking questions never. And LGBTQ historians are furious too, since the East Wing has deep First Lady history, including Eleanor Roosevelt’s queer legacy. Replacing it with “Mar-a-Lago North,” as Pocan quipped, sends a clear message: Trump’s priorities “couldn’t be any more out of whack.”
While Trump obsesses over chandeliers, LGBTQ Americans are watching their health-care protections crumble. Trans people needing affirming care and queer families relying on insurance subsidies are at risk from the administration’s cost-hiking policies. “They should care about our health care costs,” Pocan said, “but instead, he wants a ballroom.”
Federal Workers Squeezed — and Some Are LGBTQ Heroes
On the shutdown showdown, Pocan couldn’t resist calling out Republican lawmakers for vanishing like last year’s TikTok fad. “They’ve been drinking piña coladas in their basements,” he joked, while millions of federal workers — including queer workers who keep agencies running — are missing paychecks.
Yet those same employees, he said, are “the heroes” — standing up to protect families’ insurance while GOP leadership lets the country rot.
The fight is especially urgent for LGBTQ communities who are more likely to rely on federal protections for health coverage, housing rights, HIV care, and employment stability. Cutting services hits them first and hardest. Pocan made it clear: Democrats are battling to prevent “15 million people” from losing health care entirely.
Rep. Mark Pocan isn’t just calling out Trump — he’s calling out the system that lets leaders destroy lives while obsessing over ballrooms and trade-war drama. LGBTQ people know exactly what it’s like when those in power decide your health and security are expendable.
The message from Pocan: put down the wrecking ball, stop the tantrums, and start serving the people — all of them. Because democracy deserves more than tacky renovations and petty revenge policies.
When a gay congressman becomes the adult in the room? Honey, that says a lot about who’s really running this country — and who’s just playing dress-up in the East Wing rubble.