Scapegoat is a bad term. I don’t think anyone is blaming trans folks for anything except “recruiting more kids to be trans” or some such.
I think it’s simpler and even more close-minded than that. Pardon the term, but being such a small part of the population they are seen as more of a freak show. Whats worse, they probably justify bullying them more than the traditional freaks of yore, because they “chose” this life.
Even worse, they are mostly reflecting on their fear of meeting a hot AMAB at a bar. And if I’m being totally honest, as a cis white male, I’m pretty afraid of the confusion I would face if I found myself in that position too.