Trump Mocks New York Law Replacing ‘Mother’ With ‘Gestating Parent’

During a Friday rally in Syracuse, President Donald Trump mocked language changes in a New York surrogacy bill, referencing terminology revisions passed by state lawmakers. Trump criticized the legislation for replacing "mother" and "father" with terms like "gestating parent" and "non-gestating parent." At the Oncenter, he said: "You can no longer say 'mother, hi mom!'

It's 'hi gestating'." He also linked the measure to Governor Kathy Hochul's positions on transgender health care for children and women's sports. Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson briefly joined Trump on stage, expressing his support. The event came as Republicans seek to portray Albany Democrats as disconnected from voters' concerns.

Supporters argue the wording addresses technical legal questions involving surrogacy, while critics say removing familiar family terms diminishes mothers and fathers while giving the state government greater influence over parental matters. Trump then shifted his focus to Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive running against Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul.

Blakeman called the measure "insane," accusing legislators of taking control away from parents and allowing Albany to make decisions that should be up to parents. Hochul's spokesperson rejected that characterization, stating the legislation appears to address technical legal issues related to surrogacy and parentage. She emphasized that anyone making bad-faith arguments is misleading New Yorkers for political gain.

The dispute highlights the central disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over the legislation's purpose and implications. Blakeman continues to trail Hochul in recent statewide polls, with the Democratic governor leading by margins ranging from nine to 19 points in various surveys.