Trump claims hospitals are performing ‘reverse surgery’ on trans patients ‘at my order’

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA: President Donald Trump on Friday, August 21, claimed that hospitals are performing “reverse surgery” on transgender patients at his direction, without providing details or evidence for the assertion.

The president made the remark during a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, while attacking Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews over her views on transgender health care. Trump’s comments also came as his administration has taken steps to restrict federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors.

Trump makes ‘reverse surgery’ claim at South Carolina rally

Trump made the claim while campaigning for Republican Senator Darline Graham ahead of Tuesday’s, August 25, primary runoff against Rep Ralph Norman. Graham was appointed to the Senate seat following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, in July, and will face Democratic nominee Andrews if she wins the Republican contest.

During his remarks, Trump criticized Andrews over transgender health care before turning to his claim about surgical reversals.

“The Democrat who Darlene is running to defeat is a far-left political hack who supports transgender for everybody and believes in telling confused children they're trapped in the wrong body.”

He then claimed that his administration has in fact changed that, adding, “by the way, do you notice how that's changing now? In fact, hospitals now are doing reverse surgery at my order. They're doing reverse surgery. Nobody ever heard about it.”

Trump did not identify any hospitals performing such procedures or explain what he meant by “reverse surgery.”

The comments came days after Graham faced criticism over her performance in a televised debate. When asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea, Graham acknowledged that she was not knowledgeable about national security but pivoted to trans issues.

“I’m just going to be honest here, I’m not that informed on national security.” Graham said. “But I think people in South Carolina are more worried about making ends meet. They are concerned about boys in girls’ sports.”

Trump orders restrict care but do not mandate surgical reversals

There is no presidential order requiring US hospitals to perform surgical reversals on transgender patients. Trump’s administration has instead pursued policies aimed at restricting access to gender-affirming care, particularly for minors.

A January 2025 executive order directed federal agencies to take steps to restrict federal support for puberty blockers, hormones and gender-related surgeries for people younger than 19. Portions of the administration’s funding directives were later blocked by federal courts.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has also finalized a rule ending federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program payments for gender-affirming care provided to minors. The rule, scheduled to take effect October 13, includes a temporary provision allowing federal funding for some existing patients as they taper off hormones.

Andrews has also said she does not support gender-affirming surgery for anyone under 18. She has said she supports evidence-based care determined by physicians, parents and patients.