MSNBC host Joy Reid sparked controversy by comparing restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors to the policies of Nazi Germany. During a recent broadcast, Reid criticized Republicans for what she described as exploiting concerns about transgender youth during the 2024 election. She argued that the focus on this relatively small population is disproportionate, likening it to targeting an entire city based on dislike for its landscape. Reid pointed out that statistically, more children are affected by gun violence than there are transgender individuals of all ages in the United States.

Reid then drew a parallel to Nazi Germany, suggesting that opposition to gender-affirming care for minors mirrors the regime's historical persecution. She stated that targeting transgender individuals is not a new phenomenon and referenced the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

Reid's comments came as the Supreme Court heard arguments in United States v. Skrmetti, a case challenging Tennessee's law banning gender-transition procedures for minors. This law also holds healthcare providers accountable who offer such treatments, potentially subjecting them to penalties and legal action. Reid criticized the Supreme Court's apparent inclination to uphold the Tennessee ban, highlighting the justices' repetition of what she termed "debunked talking points" under the guise of protecting children.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, however, offered a different perspective, comparing the Tennessee law to historical laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Jackson questioned the parallels between the arguments used to justify these laws and those used in the current debate surrounding transgender rights. She specifically referenced Loving v. Virginia, the landmark case that struck down bans on interracial marriage.