The speed at which the anti-trans bills mainly targeting children have been passed by Republican held states has been shocking and devastating to watch, and it seems Obama feels the same. 

In a new interview with US LGBTQ+ magazine The Advocate, the former President does not mince his words when it comes to how he feel about the bills: “For many years now, we’ve seen some Republicans seek political advantage by pitting us against one another, often by going after certain groups of people who just want equal treatment.”

He continued in his emotionally response: “These bills are doing real harm — especially to young people — whether they end up passing or not. Growing up is hard enough, and at some point we all struggle to find our place in the world. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for young people to know that some leaders — including people who are supposed to be representing you — don’t think they deserve equal rights.

It breaks my heart. This is not who we are. America has always been at its best when we open our arms wider and help more people feel like they belong — not treat them like second-class citizens because they’re different.”

Through years of Trump sewing division, fear and doubt, the damage he has done to the very fabric of America becomes more obvious by the day. As Biden arrives in the UK for the G7 Summit, it’s going to be up to him to try and bring together a country split by lies and misinformation – a Herculean task by anyone’s standard.