Anderson Cooper misgendered a Civil Rights attorney, but Bernie Sanders' facial expression said it all
During a CNN town hall event with Senator Bernie Sanders, Anderson Cooper misgendered civil rights attorney Grace Thomas. While introducing Thomas to ask a question, Cooper said, “I want to introduce Grace Thomas. She’s a local civil rights attorney. She’s a Democrat. Grace?” Thomas promptly corrected him, stating, “It’s they/them pronouns, actually. Thank you,” indicating their preference for non-binary pronouns.<br /><br />Cooper responded with a brief “Oh” before Thomas proceeded with their question about why young men are leaving the Democratic Party The moment gained attention online, with a clip circulating widely on X. Some conservative commentators mocked Cooper, sarcastically calling him a “bigot” or demanding his resignation, while others used it to critique progressive gender norms. Sanders’ reaction—a subtle smile—also drew notice, with some interpreting it as amusement or confusion. The incident itself was brief and Cooper did not address it further on air, but it sparked a mix of ridicule and debate on social media. There’s no record of an apology or follow-up from Cooper as of April 10, 2025.<br /><br />Bernie Sanders facial expressions were the biggest part of the story.
