Tom Barrett Spreads Divisive and Transphobic Lies About Children in Desperate Attempt to Boost His Struggling Campaign

In case you missed it, Tom Barrett is sinking to a new low to try to raise campaign cash after posting back to back disappointing fundraising quarters and failing to meet his internal goals. Michigan Advance reports that Barrett sent deceptive and hateful fundraising solicitations falsely telling people their children had been confirmed for “Gender Reassignment Surgery Tomorrow at 9 AM.” The fundraising messages also spread the lie that “President Biden is forcing 5-year-olds to learn about gender reassignment surgeries, gender identities, and other radical ideas.”

Source: Michigan Advance

Barrett’s disgusting scheme to use children as political pawns to spread hatred and fill his campaign coffers comes after he was caught sending fundraising solicitations lying that Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin “thinks veterans are cowards” despite the fact that Slotkin served three tours in Iraq as a CIA officer and in intelligence and defense positions under Democratic and Republican presidents.

“First Tom Barrett lied about Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s patriotism and record of supporting veterans, and now he’s using children as political pawns to spread hateful and transphobic disinformation – all in a gross attempt to raise money for his struggling campaign,” said DCCC spokesperson Elena Kuhn. “Barrett should apologize to anyone who received his despicable lies about their children. His vile smears show he’ll do anything to line his pockets and mid-Michiganders can’t trust a word he says.”

READ MORE BELOW:

Michigan Advance: Sen. Barrett fundraising ask claims ‘your child’ is scheduled for gender reassignment surgery

• Another Michigan Republican is fundraising off attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and supporters.

• A fundraising message sent by state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), who is seeking the Republican nomination for the newly drawn 7th Congressional District, claims, “President Biden is forcing 5-year-olds to learn about gender reassignment surgeries, gender identities, and other radical ideas,” adding that “Every American needs to step up TODAY and stop this sick and twisted ideology from poisoning our children.”

• According to a screenshot obtained by the Michigan Advance, Barrett’s original fundraising appeal came via text and appeared to be an appointment confirmation for “Your Child” to receive “Gender Reassignment Surgery Tomorrow at 9 AM.” It then asks, “If you would like to CANCEL this appointment because you do not believe in teaching young children about dangerous transgender ideologies, please sign your name NOW.” 

• That message has since been replaced with Barrett’s current appeal in which he also claims, “Democrats are HELLBENT on destroying our faith, removing God from the center of our nation, and pushing transgender ideology on young children. Without your immediate support, Pelosi will have all the ammunition she needs to destroy Christian Republicans like Tom Barrett & completely eviscerate our traditional values.”

• Barrett has not returned a request for comment.

[…]

• While Barrett is considered to be the likely winner of the GOP nomination for the 7th District, he is trailing U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) in fundraising.

• Recent figures show Slotkin with a major fundraising advantage over Barrett, raising more than $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2022, with $5.5 million on hand. Barrett reported raising $465,735 with $395,910 on hand during the same period. 

• Slotkin, meanwhile, has since sent out an email (absent fundraising links) to supporters referencing Barrett’s fundraising pitch.

• “Using scare tactics about our children’s well-being to raise money for a political campaign should be off-limits,” said Slotkin. “This is what people hate about politics: the politicians that only want to use fear to further divide us in a time where we should be coming together.”

###