President Trump has issued a strong warning to California, threatening to cut federal funding if the state continues to allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. This statement came from Trump in a post on Truth Social, where he criticized Governor Gavin Newsom for what he called illegal practices regarding gender in sports.
In his post, Trump stated that he would reach out to Newsom to discuss the matter directly. He expressed frustration over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s competitions, declaring it a "totally ridiculous situation." He also ordered local authorities to prevent transgender individuals from participating in state finals, highlighting his administration’s ongoing battle over gender issues in sports.
This controversy seems to stem from recent events at a California high school track meet, where A.B. Hernandez, a transgender athlete, won both the girls’ long jump and triple jump. Hernandez’s success has drawn criticism from various groups who argue that transgender athletes may have an unfair advantage.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which oversees high school sports, announced that it would implement new rules to allow more female athletes to compete. Under these rules, any biological female who would have qualified in an event won by a transgender athlete will be granted a spot in the championship.
Trump’s post comes on the heels of an executive order he signed earlier this year titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” aimed at penalizing schools that allow transgender athletes to compete. This order claims that such practices violate Title IX, which protects against gender discrimination in education.
The U.S. Department of Education has previously opened an investigation into the CIF, threatening California’s education funding. However, the state has yet to see any cuts to its federal education dollars.
California has been at the center of this debate, as it has laws that promote equal rights for all students, including those based on gender identity. Governor Newsom has been vocal about his stance, recently stating that it is unfair for transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, though he has also mentioned being open to discussions on the matter.
As the conversation around transgender athletes continues, it remains a contentious issue that divides opinions across the country. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for school sports and the rights of transgender individuals in California and beyond.