‘Jeopardy’ host Ken Jennings disputes right-wing reports that imply he’s transphobic
Ken Jennings made his views on trans rights clear. (Image: Getty)
Jeopardy host Ken Jennings has addressed reports from right-wing media outlets that implied that he is transphobic.
Taking to Bluesky on 2 August, Jennings wrote: “I saw yesterday that some right-wing outlets were running stories about me, which I’m used to. But this time I’m going to say something about it, because these were framed to imply that I was aligned with their own transphobia.”
He went on to explain that the claims were not true.
“For the record: NOPE,” he wrote. “Honestly, I don’t think there’s an issue today I care about on a personal level more deeply than trans rights. And it’s rough out there right now. Bigots on one side of the political aisle and too many cowards on the other.”
Jennings then explained that everyone who knows him “even a little” or has followed him on social media knows that he’s a trans ally.
“Our institutions are literally trying to erase trans people right now, and it p*sses me off. A snarky reply to one bad take on Bluesky doesn’t mean that’s changed at all,” he continued.
Jennings’ ‘snarky’ comment
The reports from right-wing media come after Jennings shared another post to Bluesky in which he sarcastically dismissed calls from trans activists to boycott The New York Times’ word games.
In an initial post about the Spelling Bee, Jennings wrote: “My wife and I have a game where we try to invent the day’s grossest-sounding word on NYT Spelling Bee.”
Another Bluesky user responded to the post, writing: “I wish people who care about trans people could understand that playing NYT games is still an insult to trans people.”
“This may be true of others but I actually got express permission from the trans community to keep NYT games and recipes,” Jennings responded. “I also have a news subscription, which is arguably worse, so I had to specifically send in a written request. Took 30 days but I got approved.”
In his 2 August posts, Jennings continued: “My TV job is apolitical, but I’m proud that one of the things we make is a space that’s trans- and [non-binary]-friendly, and that’s not going to change either.
“So that’s the thing to know, if you’re a tabloid that’s going to name-check me in another round of transphobic s*** about Bluesky discourse. I don’t stand with you. I stand with my trans friends and family members.”
