You won’t even believe this Gen Z’s stunning answer to ‘what one question would you ask Donald Trump?’

The presence of transgender individuals has emerged as a major hot-button issue in the current election cycle. During an interview with Rutgers University students, MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle asked what they would like to ask candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. One student, Rachel Toepfer, provided a deeply personal response that resonated with many.

Rachel, who is an intern with MassDems, expressed her desire to ask Vice President Harris, “How soon do you think we can get the Equality Act passed?” This legislation aims to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in various areas, including employment, housing, and education, making it a significant issue for Democrats alongside topics like abortion and voting rights.

When it came to Trump, Rachel’s question was strikingly simple yet profound: “Do you see me as a human?” This question left Ruhle momentarily speechless, highlighting the gravity of the sentiment behind it.

Reactions to Rachel’s moment have varied widely across social media. Some view her as a hero for her candidness, while others have taken a more critical stance, suggesting she should focus on her health and well-being. Victor Shi, a member of the Harris-Walz Youth Team, praised Rachel’s honesty, noting it reflects the concerns of many young people regarding Trump’s views. He emphasized that Generation Z is the most racially and sexually diverse generation and perceives Trump as a significant threat to their rights and lives. “We’re not going back,” he stated, clearly opposing any regression in progress.

Trump’s recent comments on transgender issues have been pointed. During a news conference on August 8, he criticized Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, for being “heavy into the transgender world.” The following day on Fox News, he reiterated this sentiment, claiming Walz’s views on transgender issues do not align with those of the general public.

Trump’s campaign has aggressively targeted transgender rights, reportedly spending over $19 million on anti-trans TV ads. These ads focus on topics like taxpayer-funded gender transitions and reference Harris’s 2019 remarks supporting gender-affirming surgery for transgender inmates, with slogans like “Kamala is for they/them. Trump is for you.”

Political experts suggest this strategy is part of Trump’s larger campaign to consolidate support within his party, particularly on issues where there is broad agreement, like transgender rights. Cameron Shelton, a political economy professor at Claremont McKenna College, noted that Trump needs his party to unite on contentious issues, using transgender rights as a rallying point. For young people like Rachel, the fight for trans rights transcends mere politics; it’s a matter of recognition and humanity.