Donald Trump plays Jesus, promises to cure AIDS if re-elected

He’s really vying for America’s gay vote


No matter how hard you try, there’s really no way of saving someone from drowning in their own delusion. Especially if they’re Donald Trump.

At a rally in Cincinnati on Aug 1, Trump announced he would end the AIDS epidemic if re-elected in 2020. Okay, take this moment to let that sink in. If Jesus could turn water into wine, then anything is possible, right?

“The things we’re doing in our country today, there’s never been anything like it,” the Head Cheeto said. “We will be ending the AIDS epidemic shortly in America.”

Of course,Trump is known for making grand claims that, well, don’t come to fruition. Hey Donny, how’s that wall that Mexico is paying for coming along?

And surprise, like most of his claims, this one is baseless. It originates from the president’s 2019 State of the Union address, in which he promised to end the transmission of HIV in the US by 2030 — what experts call a “doable but daunting” task. But given the Trump administration’s lack of support for LGBTQ2 communities and ongoing cuts to services and resources that support those living with HIV, the president’s plan borders on impossible.

Whatever it takes to get that gay vote, I guess.

Trump also promised to cure childhood cancer (and not any other cancers) and send astronauts to Mars. (We’d recommend shipping him to another planet, but we doubt extraterrestrials want him, either. )

Salty Queers

This story is part of Salty Queers, quick takes on the pop culture and political news that has us marinating in bitterness.

Arvin Joaquin is a journalist and editor. He was previously an associate editor at Xtra.

Erica Lenti

Erica Lenti is a deputy editor at Chatelaine and a former editor at Xtra.

Read More About:
Power, Politics, Analysis, Salty Queers

Keep Reading

Rainbow Votes returns for the 2025 Canadian federal election

Subscribe now to Xtra’s free pop-up election newsletter and stay looped into all things election 2025

We can do better than lazy Trump/Musk gay memes

OPINION: There are plenty of ways to troll the president and his right-hand man without resorting to casual homophobia

How Trump’s gender executive order hints at reproductive rights fight

ANALYSIS: The focus on a person “at conception” forecasts more federal attacks on reproductive rights to come

Trans issues didn’t doom the Democrats

OPINION: The Republicans won ending on a giant anti-trans note, but Democrats ultimately failed to communicate on class