The 30-second spot, entitled “Republicans In Your Bathroom,” targets the GOP over its fixation on restricting trans people’s access to restrooms and locker rooms. The ad, which The Hill reports is part of a larger buy worth over $1 million per The Hill, begins with a young girl entering a bathroom and to her horror, encountering an older white-haired man sitting in the stall waiting for her. He greets her with a short hello. Immediately, the girl presses the man for answers, “What are you doing? Who are you?”

“I’m your Republican congressman. Now that we’re in charge, I’m checking to make sure that there’s no trans people in the wrong bathroom,” he says.

Her response: “Bathrooms are private. Don’t you have anything better to do?”

“I won the last election, and this is my priority,” he says, “Now let’s make sure you’re really a girl,” ending with an ominous smirk.

all 96 comments

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[–] 129 points 2 weeks ago (10 children)

That was astoundingly creepy, well done.

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  • [–] 66 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

    Gotta give that actor some recognition. He really nailed "Republican" with that performance.

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  • [–] 54 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

    ... because it's based in reality.

    tf is actually wrong with Republicans? Obsessed with the weirdest stuff, into hurting others and suffering, it's basically the worst possible people you could elect to run a government.

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  • [–] 23 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    It's not always because they believe the bible, but it is often because they believe the bible. It describes a rapey abuser who can and will torture you to death if you don't blindly obey him, and they call that "love". They do completely backwards, wrong, harmful things while genuinely believing they are in the right.

    You know that vague "mandate" they keep talking about? Spoilers, it's from god. That divine being which we have no actual evidence for, no reason to believe its existence, no way of contacting it to verify what it wants. It gives them a blank check to do whatever they want regardless of how many people they hurt.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago* (1 child)

    It’s possible to read the entire history of western colonialism and rise of capitalism as parallel to the spread and growth of Christianity around the globe. The two have been inextricably entangled for centuries

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    But it’s not that they believe in the bible either. It’s claiming to adhere to a religion mostly based on the New Testament but remembering that one creepy passage from the Old Testament.

    You can’t just copy-paste a few regressive thoughts from the entire compendium and say the “the bible says ….”. That’s kind of missing the point

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago

    But we can't ignore them, either. That would be cherry-picking, which is a necessary aspect of "believing" the bible because it contradicts itself.

    God never once condemns slavery, even when he's incarnated as Jesus. The new testament has a handful of pretty lines that fall apart when you remember the abusive foundation of "obey me or die."

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  • [–] 74 points 2 weeks ago* (16 children)

    This is just perfect framing.

    Especially the "don't you have anything better to do"?

    I was watching donnie supporters (on the Good Liars) claiming that trans is a major concern. They get asked how many trans athletes do they think there are (in NCAA), out of 500K+ athletes.

    The answer is less than 10. We are supposed to pretend this is a major concern? Something we need to have all of our policies revolve around? Something that should decide the makeup of Congress? We have to endorse an entire other nexus of fascist bullshit because < 10 trans in something like NCAA??

    I know a lot of conservatives seem to struggle with things like literacy and numeracy, but less than 10 divided by greater than 500000 is a vanishingly small percentage.

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  • [–] 47 points 2 weeks ago (11 children)

    Also, how many people really cared about women's sports in this country before this became an issue?

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  • [–] 27 points 2 weeks ago

    It literally used to be a joke among men. ‘Oh, why are you watching women’s sports, is nothing else on’ or ‘haha boobies’ (volleyball and swimming were the worst by far for this). Outside of friends and family of the competitors, former players, and a lot of lesbians there was virtually no interest in it.

    It must be a nightmare to suddenly be a forced political issue and it result in everything being worse for everyone.

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  • [–] 10 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

    Of the population now clutching their pearls over it, I'd guess it's maybe dozens.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)
  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

    The show that keeps on giving. It was just this year that I learned that there was a fan theory that Tobias was actually black.

    The genius of this show is appreciated by many, but not nearly enough. I try to spread the gospel of AD far and wide...

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)
  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    I love all the memes that have went even beyond the show. The cost of a banana, for example. The one that makes me LOL every time is:

    https://tenor.com/view/arrested-development-donald-trump-gif-24255260

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  • [–] 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    I actually really enjoy women's curling in the winter Olympics, although it wouldn't matter to me if a trans woman was one of them. It was just the first curling I ever saw. I don't even know why they divide sports that way anyway. It should all be divided by weight classes, like boxing, and sex/gender shouldn't play a role.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago

    Don't you see, republican congressmen need to care about women's sports now, because how else will they manufacture outrage about Jack Smith watching a game?

    Senile old senator: "You know, I really like women's basketball! I couldn't tell you when or where a single game happened if you held my feet to the fire, but it's a big interest of mine! It's just my job to ask questions, you know."

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  • [–] 7 points 2 weeks ago

    You don't understand the mind of conservatives. To a rational person, this might read as a non-issue, but to a conservative it's just confirmation bias.

    You might view 10 out of 500K as "0.002%"

    A conservative views it as "1000% of 'too many'"

    Don't try to reason with them, it's a snakepit full of hydras. Just stomp them down at the first available opportunity. Back to tartarus, or wherever fascists hide while they wait for the world to forget

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  • [–] 4 points 2 weeks ago

    They just need someone to blame and one part of voters need someone to hate. It's much easier to pin everything wrong in the world on preferably a small minority, then promise to get rid of that minority. It's better than have people really looking at the policies they bring and who actually benefits from those.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    You'd think that with how big of a deal they're making and all their campaign ads revolving around it that half of athletes on women's sports are trans and kids are being dragged out of classes and having sex change surgeries forced on them.

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  • [–] 40 points 2 weeks ago

    This is what Democrats SHOULD be doing, not turning their backs on us.

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  • [–] 40 points 2 weeks ago* (1 child)

    It's time for America to grow from anti-trans to anti-conservative.

    Conservatives are the single greatest threat to all life on earth. If not for conservatives, the normal people would be permitted to address climate change, wealth inequality, healthcare, housing, food scarcity and other existential crises caused by conservatives.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 weeks ago

    MAGA is a Domestic Terrorist Organization, and a genuine enthusiastic, ongoing National Security Threat. As such, it should be prohibited from existing. We wouldn't allow Al-Qaeda or ISIS to hold office, and MAGA is no different.

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  • [–] 37 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    There are probably republicans watching this ad and thinking it's pro-republican

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  • [–] 60 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    Thank fuck someone with money finally figured out the right messaging.

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  • [–] 40 points 2 weeks ago (13 children)

    Unfortunately a lot of democrats are giving in and joining this bigotry.

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  • [–] 13 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    The Dem party is infested with a breed of conservative called neoliberals.

    Do not vote for neoliberals unless you want neoliberals to continue running the party. Make sure the person who earns your vote is a progressive.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

    Do not vote for neoliberals unless you want neoliberals to continue running the party. Make sure the person who earns your vote is a progressive.

    Sadly doesn't work when that's the only option

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  • [–] 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    There is no peaceful solution to an infestation of conservatism. But, step one is proving that we tried the peaceful option first.

    It is immoral to vote for a conservative. It is not immoral to overthrow conservatives by force or to remove them from functional society. They are a threat to the safety and welfare of everyone around them. Fixing this kind of mess has historically involved a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Mostly blood.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago

    I'm pointing out that in a lot of races it's conservative vs conservative with a lot of propagandized people who will blame those on the left no matter what happens as the dems do everything they can to kill any movement leftwards/towards progress

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago

    Voting only works if people get involved long before election day. In many places, your vote literally doesn't matter

    But even if you're just chipping away at a mountain, getting involved will only increase the influence you have over the process

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    We will primary them next time, we can't do it all at once

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  • [–] 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Maybe we can do your rights next.

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  • [–] 19 points 2 weeks ago
    [–] 13 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

    "But but but! If GOP can't distract you with sexuality and religion, how will they keep critics away from unchecked O&G drilling?"

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  • [–] 6 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    Ohh don't worry, the Dems will allow drilling too. Is the non-corporate issues they'll roll back to reasonable non-religious values.

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  • [–] 7 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Well Dems promote renewables much more than GOP.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago*

    More that renewable donors promote Democrats, and Democrats are receptive to these donors in a way Republicans are not

    But pop down to Texas, the national leader in Solar and Wind power. Even that doesn't hold up against close inspection

    Entirely too much money in renewable and battery tech for either party to ignore

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  • [–] 12 points 2 weeks ago
    [–] 12 points 2 weeks ago

    That's it, all we need to do is go past that paper thin veneer that paints the gop as good and decent people and display them for the ghoulish monsters that they really are.

    I wouldn't even say this is exaggerated in the slightest. They're vile.

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  • [–] 11 points 2 weeks ago

    Government so small it can fit in a uterus.

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  • [–] 9 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Could also do for some more with these ads in your bedroom and doctors office among other places

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  • [–] 8 points 2 weeks ago
    [–] 6 points 2 weeks ago

    HELL YEAH! another one!

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  • [–] 5 points 2 weeks ago

    Really well done

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  • [–] 5 points 2 weeks ago

    I was confused for a second, because I thought this ad already existed years ago, but that one was "Keep Republicans Out Of Your Bedroom"

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  • [–] 5 points 2 weeks ago

    Which bathroom was Lindsey Graham allowed to use?

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  • [–] 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Potty Cops

    Coming to a urinal near you

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  • [–] 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Creepy ad. I’m getting AI vibes though.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago

    Yet again, the culture wars are winning.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago

    Our women must be protected. Quick! Clitcams and Labiadrones!

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  • [–] 4 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    Does anyone watch ads? I haven't seen one in years. I don't get it.

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  • [–] 7 points 2 weeks ago*

    Does anyone watch ads? I haven't seen one in years

    Some demographics watch them.

    Other demographics (which have a strong overlap with people who know Lemmy exists) don't watch (or even see) most types of advertising.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Republicans on toilet paper would be better.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago

    AI garbage 🗑️

    Even if the messaging is accurate and on point, instant turn off.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 weeks ago

    I’d happily welcome one into the restroom! I’m not trans but I AM lactose intolerant. And I feel the need. The need…for CHEESE.

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  • [+] -14 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (10 children)

    That was too disturbing

    I mean that

    It was literally too disturbing

    How is this a campaign ad? How is this even allowed to run on TV? I'm fairly certain this would not be allowed in the EU

    It doesn't even make me think about voting, it just upsets the hell out of me...

    Dude, holy shit, I get the message, but what the fuck... that's just horrible to watch. Is that really on TV in the US ? Is that what living in the US is like? You're watching a sitcom and then BAM sexual assault video? Also, you do realize this isn't actually happening in real life, right? What the GOP is doing in a literal sense with laws like these is forcing trans people to go into hiding. If you tell the average person on the street that they're doing compulsory genital checks in bathrooms, to them that sounds as crazy as "they're putting litter boxes in schools for students who identify as cats". And you come off as a moron and that's how you get people saying shit like "Dems are all about culture wars". And you had JUST gotten rid of that label with this new focus on affordability. And this ad shows precisely the difference between "culture wars" and actual support for trans people. This insane hyperbole is culture wars. A sincere statement in support of trans folks spoken by a Dem into the camera is worth way more. If you care, say it with your own face. No one wants to see this disturbing thing that quite frankly looks like AI.

    That ad was horrible, I'm sorry, but this goes in the "Ramaswamy" pile. Go ahead and downvote, I don't care. These midterms have really been disgusting, dude... I think I'm gonna stop paying attention and just wait for the results.

    Only in America... I swear... just... wow...

    I don't think this will make anyone want to vote Dem more. I think it will make people think Dems are sick for showing this. You can be against sexual assault without showing it for god's sake... this is traumatizing

    EDIT: I am not sorry this goes in the Ramaswamy pile. Don't know why I said that. Americans need to be told to their face how disgusting they are. Get off the internet and go live in a cave. What in the fuck is wrong with all of you? I swear to fucking god all US entertainment and media and everything should just be banned. You can have it all. Fucking sick.

    Not to mention how idiotic this is. It's literally just gratuitous violence. "I'm yOuR rEpUbLicAN cOnGrESsMaN" It makes no fucking sense and it'd be better replaced with Republican's own words which they say in interviews themselves. Do people in the US really react to this insane horseshit positively? I fucking doubt it. I think it's a Lemmy thing. This is the guillotine-loving-Lemmy approach to sexual assault. I am so fucking sick of this place. Moderation exists for a fucking reason. You don't need to show someone rape for them to understand that rape is bad. But maybe you people on here just enjoy watching rape. Some of you really don't realize how fucking far gone you are. This same site literally this morning I was reading a thread full of people defending age gap relationships, with some opinions there being controversial to say the least.

    And before you tell me how brilliant and brave this ad is, consider that they lost to Trump twice and I'm sure this bizarre ignorant junk helped them lose. This hyperbolic exaggerated deeply insincere crap will lose you an election in 30 seconds. Grow the fuck up and talk about this very serious issue like an adult. But of course this is to be expected from the United States of "The Audience is Too Stupid To Get It, We Need to Dumb it Down for Them"

    And of course, no Democratic politician wanted to put their face in this ad. Because they don't really support trans people. They just want to win an election and pat themselves on the back.

    There's really nowhere left on the internet where people are fucking reasonable. And again, my opinion? The issue stems from the US. You simply don't realize what you look like to the rest of the world.

    Rant over. Feel free to return to watching your campaign snuff films or whatever the fuck you people get off on over there.

    EDIT 2: And one more thing. What Serbia did today and has been doing for the past two years? THAT. Can the Dems do that? No, cause they're too busy being terminally online and making edgy cringeworthy ads that appeal to Lemmy and no one else.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    How is this a campaign ad? How is this even allowed to run on TV? I’m fairly certain this would not be allowed in the EU

    Has the EU become more prudish in the past couple of decades? Always seemed like they had a pretty strong DGAF attitude about that kind of commercial

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  • [+] -7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

    I have never seen anything like this on TV in the EU in my life

    EDIT: I don't get why this one's being downvoted too. Go ahead and prove me wrong if you want. Show me a campaign ad from an EU party that is as fucked up as this one. Go ahead, prove how superior your fabulous wonderful Land of the Free to Oppress Others is.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 weeks ago*

    If you tell the average person on the street that they’re doing compulsory genital checks in bathrooms, to them that sounds as crazy as “they’re putting litter boxes in schools for students who identify as cats”.

    Yeah, it does sound crazy. The issue is that it's true. Republicans are advocating shit like that, in the name of "protecting girls," and the ad highlights the absolute absurdity of that.

    If you think the ad is disturbing, how disturbing is it that Republicans are openly advocating for compulsory underage genital inspections, openly running on that policy even? If such a policy gets implemented because the Democrats pulled their punches, if the shit in the ad happens irl because the ad wasn't shown, then we'd all be wishing the Democrats had made an ad like this, hell, I'll even bet there'd be angry parents demanding to know why no one warned them it was going to happen.

    You know that picture of a bloody backpack outside the Iranian school that got bombed? Maybe we shouldn't allow that either. I mean, it's disturbing! The last thing we want is for people to be disturbed by seeing the consequences of what they voted for! Why, if enough people were disturbed, they might even stop voting for shit like that altogether! We certainly can't have that!

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  • [–] 6 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)
  • [–] -1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

    You say that to insult me, but many victims of abuse will need their "doc" to "up their dose" after seeing this ad, which is precisely my fucking point

    And not to be a prying asshole, but... this you here? This your masterpiece? "Our ages don’t determine the power dynamics of the world around us."

    I mentioned you up there in that long post. Go join the far-right. They'll love you. They'll slap that shit on a poster next to your face.

    I swear to fucking god everytime I get downvoted around here it's someone like you.

    EDIT: Also, good for you for making the effort to come to Lemmy, a place dominated by progressives, and mocking the mentally ill. Telling people to "up their meds"? Up yours. Get it?

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