Theater Stars React to Trump's Ban on Transgender Individuals in the Military; McCain Contradicts President's Announcement

UPDATE: Following Donald Trump's Twitter posts this morning regarding the banning of transgender individuals in the U.S. military, Senator John McCain posted a statement on his official web site, contradicting the President's comments. Read the statement in full below:

"The President's tweet this morning regarding transgender Americans in the military is yet another example of why major policy announcements should not be made via Twitter.

The statement was unclear. The Department of Defense has already decided to allow currently-serving transgender individuals to stay in the military, and many are serving honorably today. Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military-regardless of their gender identity. We should all be guided by the principle that any American who wants to serve our country and is able to meet the standards should have the opportunity to do so-and should be treated as the patriots they are.

The Department of Defense is currently conducting a study on the medical obligations it would incur, the impact on military readiness, and related questions associated with the accession of transgender individuals who are not currently serving in uniform and wish to join the military. I do not believe that any new policy decision is appropriate until that study is complete and thoroughly reviewed by the Secretary of Defense, our military leadership, and the Congress.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will continue to follow closely and conduct oversight on the issue of transgender individuals serving in the military."

This morning, President Trump once again took to Twitter to announce that he has banned transgender individuals from serving in the United States military. The Commander-in-Chief tweeted to his followers: "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you."

Stars of stage and screen took to social media immediately following the announcement to respond to Trump's new policy, with many calling it "unacceptable." Check out some of the tweets below:

.@realDonaldTrump you may be the president in name, but you shame that office & the USA in your treatment of our service men & women today.

- zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) July 26, 2017

History shall record that you are not only the stupidest, most incompetent president ever, but also the cruelest and pettiest. #Shame pic.twitter.com/8R4jVOIYmd

- George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017

I grew up in a military w/ LGBT people serving in the shadows. We can't let DT turn back the clock on our brave, trans soldiers. #RISEUP

- Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) July 26, 2017

Important to remember:
No LGBT people participated in the trump/Russia/treason to steal the White House. https://t.co/RNTYW3CD7F

- steven pasquale (@StevePasquale) July 26, 2017

And who will he come for next? https://t.co/DWu3PRzQhg

- Alan Cumming (@Alancumming) July 26, 2017

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos