TIME magazine has issued a correction after it initially labeled a statement by former President Donald Trump as false regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’s past support for taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained migrants.

The correction from TIME came after it was clarified that Harris had indeed expressed support for such policies during her 2019 presidential campaign, though her current campaign denies that she still takes this stance, as Fox News reports.

Trump's Debate Comment Sparks Controversy

During the recent ABC News presidential debate, Trump accused Harris of supporting the use of taxpayer funds to provide gender transition surgeries to detained migrants. TIME magazine initially dismissed the claim as inaccurate. However, the outlet later reversed course, acknowledging that Harris had indeed supported such policies in the past.

Trump's comment during the debate quickly caught the attention of commentators, many of whom expressed disbelief over the assertion. Trump stated, "Now she wants to do transgender operations on illegal aliens who are in prison." The claim seemed so outlandish to some that it was quickly dismissed as another exaggeration by the former president. Media outlets, including TIME magazine, labeled the statement false at first.

However, the magazine's initial dismissal did not hold up under scrutiny. In a subsequent correction, the publication acknowledged that Harris had previously supported the idea of taxpayer-funded gender transition treatment for detained immigrants. This support came from Harris's responses to a 2019 questionnaire from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Harris Supported Policy in 2019

The ACLU questionnaire, which resurfaced in the debate aftermath, showed Harris expressing her belief that federal detainees, including immigrants, should have access to necessary medical care, including gender transition surgeries.

"I support policies ensuring that federal prisoners and detainees are able to obtain medically necessary care for gender transition, including surgical care, while incarcerated or detained," Harris stated in the 2019 document.

This questionnaire response became the centerpiece of TIME magazine's correction. The publication acknowledged that Harris had indeed supported such a position during her initial presidential campaign, contradicting their original reporting on Trump’s statement.

Media and Commentator Reactions to Trump's Claim

Several commentators were shocked by Trump’s statement during the debate. Marc Lamont Hill, a commentator, described it as "the wildest thing" he had ever heard in any debate. Similarly, Susan Glasser of The New Yorker took to social media to mock the statement, questioning whether Trump’s assertion was even remotely based on facts.

Despite this skepticism, CNN later revisited the issue, digging into Harris's past positions on the matter. The network reported on Monday that Harris’s responses to the ACLU questionnaire clearly indicated her stance in favor of taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained individuals. The report noted that Harris had argued that such care was medically necessary for transgender individuals reliant on the state.

Harris Campaign Distances from 2019 Position

Harris’s current presidential campaign has been quick to distance itself from the candidate’s previous stance. Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for Harris, responded to the controversy, stating that the vice president’s current platform does not include this policy. Tyler’s comments suggest that while Harris may have supported such measures in the past, it is no longer part of her political agenda as she seeks the presidency in 2024.

Despite the denial from Harris’s campaign, the correction by TIME magazine has reignited discussions around her 2019 policy positions and how and why they may differ from her current platform.

Magazine's Correction Acknowledges Mischaracterization

The correction issued by TIME magazine reads, "The original version of this story mischaracterized as false Donald Trump's statement accusing Kamala Harris of supporting ‘transgender operations on illegal aliens in prison.’ As a presidential candidate in 2019, Harris filled out a questionnaire saying she supported taxpayer-funded gender transition treatment for detained immigrants."

This acknowledgment by TIME underscores the complexity of tracking political figures' past and present positions, particularly when they have evolved over time. Harris’s past support for this policy, while controversial, was rooted in her belief that transgender individuals, including those in federal custody, should receive necessary medical care.

Media Outlets Explore the Evolution of Harris's Policies

As the story unfolded, various media outlets delved deeper into Harris's past positions and their potential impact on her current campaign. CNN’s report on her ACLU questionnaire responses highlighted how Harris had made gender transition surgeries for detained individuals a part of her platform during her first presidential run.

Erin Burnett, a host at CNN, expressed surprise at the revelation, stating, "Taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for detained migrants? She actually said she supported that?"

Fox News Digital also reached out to TIME magazine for further comment on the correction, though no additional statement has been reported at this time.

Debate Over Gender Transition Care Continues

The debate over gender transition care for detained migrants has become a focal point of conversation, with media figures from across the spectrum weighing in. While Harris has not publicly revisited the issue in her current campaign, her past support has drawn renewed attention in light of Trump’s debate remarks.

As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, it remains to be seen whether this issue will resurface as a significant point of contention between the candidates. For now, TIME magazine’s correction stands as a reminder of how political positions can evolve and how media outlets must carefully verify claims made in high-stakes political settings.