Kellyanne Conway's daughter praises mom for accepting her as gay (2024)

Former Donald Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway has been praised by her teenage daughter for accepting her as gay in a speech at an event hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization that represents LGBTQ+ members of the GOP.

Claudia Conway, 19, introduced her mother at the Spirit of Lincoln Gala, where her mother had been named as this year's Spirit of Lincoln Award recipient. Per the Log Cabin Republicans, the award was previously given to former first lady Melania Trump in 2021 for her "commitment to enhancing personal freedom, encouraging individual responsibility, and ensuring equality for all Americans."

Kellyanne Conway is a former pollster who rose to national prominence as the manager of Trump's successful 2016 presidential campaign, later becoming a senior adviser role in the Trump White House.

She has also developed a reputation as a Trump media surrogate, known for defending his many claims and stances across various news outlets.

Claudia Conway, her daughter with ex-husband and Lincoln Project co-founder George Conway, emerged in 2020 as a vocal critic of Trump and his presidency, despite her mother's positions.

Over the years, and throughout a tumultuous period in her relationship with her mother, she has remained vocally opposed to the former president and many conservative political pursuits, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Their differing political stances aside, Claudia Conway proudly shared video footage of herself introducing her mom at Saturday's Spirit of Lincoln Gala, which was held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. Newsweek has reached out to Claudia Conway by email for comment.

Tagging her mother's account on X, formerly Twitter, the younger Conway wrote that she was "honored to introduce my mommy tonight @KellyannePolls."

In the clip, Claudia Conway was seen standing at the podium as she told the gathered audience: "It is an honor and a privilege to stand here tonight to introduce a woman who has not only saved my life, but has also left an indelible mark on the United States forever.

"In a world where the political climate has become harsh and divisive, coming out as gay was something that I feared. I feared not being accepted by my family and my community. But that was very far from the truth."

"In the words of my mother, 'I don't care if it was a girl or Mickey Mouse as long as you get your a** up for school,'" she continued, drawing laughs from the attendees as the camera panned to an amused Kellyanne Conway.

"My mother's support was not just a passive acknowledgment, but an active, affirming stance that not only supported myself, but millions of Americans," she went on. "We now live in the age of performative politics. We are surrounded by people who talk and talk and talk, but never do. My mom not only talks—a lot—but she is one of the few people who actually does."

The clip drew a mixed reaction from Claudia Conway's X followers, a number of whom expressed objection to the current stance a number of prominent Republicans have taken in regards to LGBTQ+ rights.

"Legitimizing [Kellyanne Conway] is an... interesting take," wrote one, prompting Claudia Conway to respond that "supporting my mother and thanking her for supporting me through my journey of self-discovery is not an interesting take but rather a valid one!!"

"If you can just turn a blind eye to all the horrifically dehumanizing policies and politicians she's spent a lifetime propping up then sure," the detractor wrote back.

Claudia Conway replied that there were "no blind eyes turned over here!!!"

She also thanked a number of X users for their messages of support—even those that included criticism of her mother.

One such post read: "I can't stand your mother, but it's great to see that you and she have found your way back to each other as mother and daughter."

In an interview with Bustle in December 2022, Claudia Conway spoke about how she started to develop a different worldview from her parents at a young age.

"I was taught that Democrats are killing babies and gay marriage is not OK," she told the publication. "I don't think it was with any malicious intent, growing up especially—that's just what I was told."

After coming to the realization that she was queer from around the age of 11, told her mother that one of her biggest fears was being married to a man. "[My mom would] be like, 'What is wrong with you?'" she recalled. "But yeah, I'm just gay. Nothing wrong. I'm just gay."

During the interview, Claudia Conway also said that she accidentally came out to her entire family during a holiday dinner three years ago.

"My brother and I were bickering back and forth, like siblings do," she said. "And I said something along the lines [of] 'You're just mad that I get more girls than you do.'"

In the same month that the article was published, Kellyanne Conway made headlines when she suggested during an appearance on Fox News that drag artists endanger children, after such performers were invited to the White House to mark the signing of the Respect For Marriage Act.

"Donald Trump is the first president to come to office already in favor of gay marriage," Kellyanne Conway said. "Melania Trump was honored... at Mar-a-Lago by the Log Cabin Republicans. I think that somehow... the Democrats think they have a monopoly on this.

"What they have a monopoly on is inviting drag queens to the people's house as a representation of what their values are.

"Parents, you have every right to speak up, show up, put up and stand up. Don't ever give up on that, because our kids are the future. They're our most precious resource. Nobody can tell you otherwise."

Addressing the stance against drag performers, Claudia Conway told Bustle: "I would have much rather, when I was 6 years old, met a drag queen than a priest. Growing up queer, I would've loved to learn about it and see representation of somebody like myself."

Over email, Kellyanne Conway told Bustle that "there's no question" she and her daughter have found common ground politically.

"It's a great example of how in this country you can embrace conflict or engage in conversation," she wrote. "Claudia and I recognize that we agree on plenty, because we've talked about it. I wish more families, friends, and Americans would."

Regarding her daughter's sexuality, the Fox News contributor added: "She's loved unconditionally and she's supported unequivocally, no matter who she loves."