This is why educating people on what being trans actually is and dispelling a lot of harmful and ill-intentioned myths is key in combating transphobia.
People always say that there’s no point in talking to bigots and that they won’t listen to reason. But I actually think there will always be merits to open and honest discussion if bigotry comes from a place of ignorance and not of malice. And since we can’t know that for sure, open and honest discussions will always have at least some merit to them in my opinion.