Christine Hallquist recently made US history by being the first trans person ever chosen as a candidate for the position of governor. The Democratic party voted overwhelmingly to put Hallquist forward for the election in Vermont, with her receiving 48 percent of the vote. Yet despite the fact that a mere seven candidates have been endorsed across the whole election cycle, gay cis male right-wing journalist Chadwick Moore attributed her success to transgender privilege.

Moore, a Republican conservative, was guesting on Tucker Carlson Tonight, a programme on the notedly anti-trans Fox News Channel. During a conversation on her nomination, Moore had the gall to state: “She can get away with many, many things simply by being transgender. Who knows if that’s even how she won this primary?” He continued by suggesting that cis candidates were at a disadvantage to Hallquist as she could “get away” with more due to her “transgender privilege”.

Moore continued to reduce Hallquist by saying: “While the entire country is fixated on the fact that she’s transgender, nobody knows anything about her policies.” This was a deliberate display of ignorance as Hallquist has been very forward in speaking about what she stands for.

Unsurprisingly, there have been strong reactions to Moore’s ridiculous rant, especially with recent news where a group of adults on Facebook suggested beating and castrating a 12 year-old trans girl to stop her using a school bathroom.

One commenter tweeted: “While cis men on Fox News bullshit about transgender privilege, adults are threatening violence against trans children for fucking existing.”

while cis white men on fox news bullshit about #transgenderprivilege, ADULTS are threatening violence against trans children for fucking existing. excuse me while i scream https://t.co/mWsSGtgNYj

— Tyler Ford (@tywrent) August 16, 2018

Another Twitter user, highlighting the fact that at least 14 trans women have been murdered this year in the US, said: “Transgender privilege is a black trans woman celebrating if she makes it past age 35.”

#TransgenderPrivilege is a Black trans woman celebrating if she makes it past age 35 #BlackTransLivesMatter

— Monica Roberts (@TransGriot) August 16, 2018

Other commenters followed suit, turning the ridiculous comment into a hashtag.

#TransgenderPrivilege is when men look at you and you can't tell if they want to fuck you, murder you , or both.

— Katelyn Burns (@transscribe) August 16, 2018

Such ignorance and sly hypocrisy only goes to prove what a momentous deal it is that Hallquist received the nomination in the first place.

She will face off against incumbent governor, Republican Phil Scott, on November 6.