Rahm Emanuel Urges Democrats to Prioritize 50% Reading Crisis Over Transgender Fights

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 23

Rahm Emanuel argued Democrats should center education, costs and healthcare rather than transgender flashpoints, saying culture-war battles distracted the party from voters' everyday concerns after COVID.
50% of children cannot read or do math at grade level, Emanuel said, framing that as the urgent failure Democrats should address before debates over bathrooms, sports and terminology such as “Latinx.”
David Remnick pressed him on whether that stance sidelines trans rights, comparing the issue to earlier civil-rights fights; Emanuel replied he backed bathroom access in 2016 but refused to let it eclipse school performance.
Emanuel cited Chicago results to bolster his case, saying graduation rates rose from 56% to 84% under his tenure as he positions himself among Democrats weighing a 2028 presidential run.