In an interview with “Caitlyn” (formerly Bruce) Jenner for Wednesday’s NBC Today, news anchor Natalie Morales protrayed the reality TV star being a “staunch Republican” as controversial, but not Jenner’s transgender activism.
Morales explained that in the upcoming season of I Am Cait, Jenner “is seen embracing womanhood, developing strong friendships with and learning from other transgender women, who she calls her girl squad.” Then the reporter fretted: “Something that hasn't changed, Caitlyn is still a staunch Republican, which led to some heated exchanges during the group's bus travels across the country.”
Jenner told Morales: “The politics was tough on the bus, I sit on the Republican side. When we do get a candidate, I certainly will talk to them. And I admit that the Democrats, when it comes as far as trans issues, are better than the Republicans.”
After lamenting Jenner’s politics, Morales turned to the transgender group and gushed: “Since Caitlyn told her story and came forward and transitioned in front of the public, what has that done?” One friend replied: “It has allowed the kids to come out at a much younger age. A lot of doors have been opened, courtesy of Ms. Caitlyn Jenner.”
Near the end of the segment, Jenner invited Morales to become a new member of the “girl squad.” Morales excitedly accepted: “What?! Are you kidding me?! That is such an honor!...This is amazing!”
Moments later, she added: “I have a new set of friends....and I really do feel honored that they wanted to talk to me and share some of the issues that affect them.”
Here is an excerpt from the March 2 report:
8:34 AM ET
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NATALIE MORALES: In season two of her reality show, I Am Cait, on our sister channel E, the 66-year-old is seen embracing womanhood, developing strong friendships with and learning from other transgender women, who she calls her girl squad....Something that hasn't changed, Caitlyn is still a staunch Republican, which led to some heated exchanges during the group's bus travels across the country.
CAITLYN JENNER: But I'm not blaming it on Republicans and conservatives.
The politics was tough on the bus, I sit on the Republican side. When we do get a candidate, I certainly will talk to them. And I admit that the Democrats, when it comes as far as trans issues, are better than the Republicans.
UNIDENTIFIED FRIEND A: I've grown up in a Democratic family, so we've never been one to listen to Republicans. But having that conversation with Cait actually did open up my eyes to some things. Vice versa, just like she was open to listen to some things.
MORALES: Since Caitlyn told her story and came forward and transitioned in front of the public, what has that done?
FRIEND A: It has allowed the kids to come out at a much younger age. A lot of doors have been opened, courtesy of Ms. Caitlyn Jenner.
UNIDENTIFIED FRIEND B: I can't describe how much it changed, you know, when Caitlyn came out. It was a different type of curious, it was a more respectful, more, “Okay, wait, this is something real.”
UNIDENTIFIED FRIEND C: This is valid, yeah.
JENNER: It really has opened up a lot of minds. So I think right now what we should do, since it is an official girls night, I think what we should do is we should have a vote for a new member.
MORALES: What?! Are you kidding me?! That is such an honor!
JENNER: A vote on right here. Hands up for in, I'll throw her in. You're officially into girls night. Here's your official girls night bracelet. See, we all got them.
MORALES: This is amazing!
So, guys, I have a new set of friends out here. Check it out, I'm still wearing my girls night bracelet this morning. So It was just really just – really just a great conversation with all of the ladies, and I really do feel honored that they wanted to talk to me and share some of the issues that affect them.
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