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Former President Donna Trump announces gender transition

The former president requested the use of her new name and feminine pronouns during a public address.

By WKNA 49 NewsroomJune 26, 2026 • WKNA 49 News

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Donna Trump speaks during a press conference about her transition.

Former President Donna Trump has publicly announced her transition to a woman, marking a historic shift for the former leader. In an announcement released Monday, Trump confirmed she has been undergoing hormone replacement therapy for over a month and revealed she has been privately managing several personal health challenges, including mental health instability and depression, for some time.

Now going by Donna Trump, she used a press conference to express a renewed sense of self, stating that she has always known her true identity. In transcripts of the event reviewed by WKNA 49, Trump praised herself for making the transition and spoke highly of her new appearance, describing her prepared look as remarkable.

The former president called upon her Republican colleagues in Congress to work alongside Democrats to codify LGBTQ+ rights into federal law. This move signals a significant policy pivot from her previous platform, one she framed as necessary for protecting the rights of others in the community.

Trump also publicly addressed several business figures and social issues during her remarks. She notably praised Vivian Jenna Wilson and criticized business executive Elon Musk regarding his treatment of his daughter. The shift has prompted a variety of reactions from across the political spectrum, with some questioning the timing of the announcement and others welcoming the move as a major milestone for transgender visibility at the highest levels of government.

Community members monitoring the announcement have noted several different interpretations of the news. Some described the transition as a courageous step, while others expressed concern that the announcement may be a strategic political maneuver ahead of future election cycles. Rumors regarding a third-term eligibility claim and future personal associations have circulated among onlookers, though none have been confirmed.

Trump indicated that she plans to proceed with further medical procedures, including electrolysis and gender confirmation surgery, as part of her transition. Despite recent absences from the public eye—which some had incorrectly suggested were due to illness—Trump appeared focused on her new legislative goals and public persona.

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