“Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings recently ignited an online debate with a sarcastic remark aimed at transgender activists who called for a boycott of New York Times games. Jennings’ response, shared on the social media platform Bluesky, led to accusations of trivializing concerns within the transgender community.
The exchange began when Jennings posted screenshots of The New York Times' word game, Spelling Bee, commenting on a game he played with his wife. In response to a user who stated that playing New York Times games was an insult to transgender people, Jennings sarcastically replied that he had received “express permission from the trans community” to continue using the games and recipes. He further jested about having a news subscription, which he deemed “arguably worse,” and the process of obtaining written approval for it.
The user who initially commented expressed disappointment, noting that Jennings had not apologized or acknowledged the impact of his response. "I was really hoping for some sign he understood why people are so upset," the user said.
Some commenters on Bluesky criticized Jennings' remark as dismissive and urged him to be more sensitive. Others questioned whether he would offer an apology.
Jesse Singal, co-host of the podcast “Blocked and Reported,” suggested that the strong reactions might be concentrated on platforms like Bluesky rather than reflecting broader public sentiment. He posited that a majority of transgender individuals are more likely to play New York Times games than to object to others doing so. Singal described hyperpartisan social media platforms as environments where intense and rigid viewpoints can create pressure-cooker dynamics.
Transgender activists have voiced concerns about The New York Times' coverage of transgender issues for several years, arguing that engagement with the paper's products financially supports its reporting. In 2023, a significant number of New York Times contributors and subscribers signed an open letter condemning the paper's coverage, and the LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD also sent a letter criticizing its reporting as biased and irresponsible.
This incident follows Jennings' previous public support for transgender rights. In July 2025, he used Bluesky to criticize California Governor Gavin Newsom's stance on transgender athletes in girls' sports, stating that any candidate who is “triangulating” on issues concerning transgender youth is a “non-starter.”